Tracy J. Pearson: Obituary

Tracy J. Pearson

August 20, 1942 – November 15, 2018

Tracy Jeanne Pearson of Ellijay, Georgia died of an aneurism Thursday November 15, 2018.

Tracy, born Bette Jeanne Campbell, was the only child of William and Jeanne (nee Pilkington) Campbell in Denver, Colorado August 20^th, 1942. The first half of Tracy’s life was spent in Denver, Chicago, Ohio and Atlanta. She was a resident of Ellijay, Georgia for the last 30 years.

Tracy’s careers were as varied as her addresses. Her image, when she was 5 years old, was used by The Richardson Vick’s Company in their Vapo-Rub “Mom Knows Best” national ad campaign. Her early twenties were spent as a model for The Higbee Department Store and other Midwest retailers. Tracy held patents on drapery hardware with Douglass Manufacturing Co. and her popular rosette and feather tie back designs were sold thru The Kirsch Company.

Tracy and her husband Arthur R. (Jack) Pearson moved to Atlanta in the late Seventies and started a chain of retail stores. Her most enjoyable and rewarding profession was spending the last 30 years tending Pearson Pond Ranch where she bred, showed, and sold prize winning llamas. She was a well-known and popular personality in the llama circuits east of the Mississippi, and helped Auburn University with parasitic research studies.  She created her own retail brand of mineral supplements for domestic livestock. Tracy was one of the main subjects in the 2015 documentary “Llama Nation.”

Tracy is survived by her son Richard Douglass Gallagher, daughter Deborah Gallagher Stutzman, 2 step-sons Larry Pearson and Todd Pearson, and 2 granddaughters Samantha Jeanne Stutzman and Kaitlin Jeanne Stutzman.

Interment will be private.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.