Deaconess Lola P. Stinson

Lola P. Stinson (85 ) of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, after a brief illness.  Lola was one of three children born to Alice Ruth Everett- Pearson and  Clarence Pearson on April 24, 1941.   In the small community of Melvin, Alabama, Choctaw County. 

Lola was educated in the Choctaw County school system, attending the Melvin School Elementary through high school, graduating in 1958.

After graduating high school, she ventured out into the world in the 1960s, moving around, leaving Melvin, Alabama, to Mobile, Alabama, then onto Montgomery, Alabama, to Queens, New  York, and finally landing in Albany, New York.  It was in Albany where Lola attended Russel Sage College, acquiring her bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating in 1982.

  
Lola was employed by the State Bank of Albany and Norstar Bank as a clerk, eventually becoming a supervisor for nineteen years.  Lola then moved on to Blue Cross -Blue Shield, where she retired after twenty-two years.  After retiring, she worked part-time within the Albany City School District, providing lunches for the students.
At an early age, Lola joined the Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Melvin, Alabama, where she remained a dedicated member until she relocated. 

 Lola and her sister Bessie enjoy returning yearly to Mt. Mariah for their annual August revival.  As soon as they left Melvin, Alabama, they immediately began shopping for the upcoming revival year. 

 Upon relocating to Albany, Lola joined Union Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member, never missing service until her health began to fail her.  
Lola served as a Missionary, Deaconess, and Past President of the Senior Ushers, also assisting with the Youth Ushers.  Lola formed a prayer group through God’s guidance, founding the prayer line that has blessed people for many years.  She was a prayer warrior, she loved GOD, she loved cooking and feeding family and others. She just loved people, as she would say.  She desired to eventually restart her prayer group. 

Lola met her late husband, Rev . John Stinson, while in Mobile, Alabama, and they later married in Albany, NY, in 1963.  To this union, one son, John Greg Stinson, was born.  
Lola leaves to cherish her memory her beloved son, John Greg Stinson, and two close cousins, Myra Coleman-Pugh and Betty Howard, along with close friends Lena Miller, Kate Gleason, Chris Pollard, The Miller Sisters, Deaconess Joyce Williams, and Deacon Kenny Williams. Along with many other cousins, relatives, and friends.
Lola was predeceased by her parents, Alice Ruth and Clarence Pearson, one brother, Roosevelt Pearson, and one sister, Bessie Shider (David).  A host of maternal and paternal aunts and uncles.

We recognize that there are three steps to heaven…out of self: into Christ; into Glory. God led Lola to take the first two steps, living a beautiful life in Christ.  Now she has taken the final step where there is no more weeping, no pain, no sorrow, and no disappointment.  We know she is now reaping her great reward reserved for the faithful.   

Lola’s abundance of love, her wide smile, and southern-rooted accent were known to many people—a fierce prayer warrior with a spirit of intense love and devotion.  Let's not forget those essence-filled suits she wore and wore well!  That thick dark hair with deep curls sat under a wide-brimmed hat on any given Sunday.  Lola made people feel loved in a safe place that is often hard to find.  

THOSE WE LOVE DON’T GO AWAY, THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERY DAY-UNSEEN, UNHEARD BUT ALWAYS NEAR.  STILL LOVED, STILL MISSED & VERY DEAR.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LOLA P. STINSON 
BELOVED MOTHER, DAUGHTER, AUNT, COUSIN, AND FRIEND

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