Online Home of The Diplomats Quartet
For Immediate Release
In 1968 a new and exciting quartet out of Woodstock, GA took gospel music by storm. The Diplomats traveled as a male quartet, until original lead singer and then owner Jimmy Pearson asked his wife Rita to join the group. The Diplomats have remained a mainstay in gospel music for 50 years.
Rita decided to leave the road life after 44 years of faithful service. It was time for Jimmy to decide what the future would look like for The Diplomats. He knew God was not finished with them yet. With his son and band leader Corey by his side, they returned to their roots and once again thrilled audiences all over the country. From the main stage at The National Quartet Convention, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, and all points in between, the “Live” sound that The Diplomats brought to the stage made them a crowd favorite. They were consistently nominated for favorite mixed group and favorite band in The Singing News Fan Awards.
Many group members came and went, but there was always one constant. That was original lead singer and group owner Jimmy Pearson. Jimmy was loved and adored by everyone he came in contact with. His easy going personality and obvious love for the music made him a favorite among fans and fellow artists.
On May 26, Jimmy Pearson left this world for a home he had sung about for over 50 years. It is always a crushing blow when a group loses one of it’s own, but when you lose a personality and spirit like Jimmy Pearson, it is truly devastating.
After much prayer and council, Corey and Rita have decided that this season in their lives must come to an end. Effective immediately, The Diplomats name will be retired, but we will be left with incredible memories.
The Diplomats were finishing up a brand new project when Jimmy passed away. As a tribute to him, the group will be releasing that project before the end of the year. They will have one last concert to say goodbye to all of those who have supported their ministry. It will be a great night honoring Jimmy’s memory.
Finally, Rita and Corey wanted to close with this thought. “We can’t thank each of you enough for your support down thru the years. It has been an incredible journey, and we know that God will direct each of us as he sees fit. We want to personally thank the men who stood on stage with Jimmy and Rita, over the last 50 years. You have been an inspiration to our family and we hope the best for each one of you. Our prayer for 50 years has been that God would be glorified in everything we did. We believe that prayer was answered.
We love you all!”
In Loving Memory
Jimmy W. Pearson December 19, 1946- May 26, 202
Jimmy “Papa” Pearson, age 74 of Carrollton, met his Lord and Savior face to face on May26, 2021. He was bornDecember 19, 1946, in Dallas, Georgia, son of the late Enoch Warner Pearson and the late Fannie Lou Henderson Pearson. He was a faithful member of Fullerville Baptist Church in Villa Rica and traveled the world as a gospel singer with “The Diplomats”. He loved golf, horses, western movies, scary movies, grilling, yard work and spending time with friends and family.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by four half-brothers and three half-sisters. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rita Williams Pearson of Carrollton; his children, Rhonda and Ty Tavalez of Dallas, GA, and Corey and Heather Pearson of Bremen; grandchildren, Zachary and Hannah Stephens of Las Vegas, Devin Tavalez of Dallas, GA, Audree Pearson of Bremen, and Sydney Tavalez of Dallas, GA; two great grandchildren, Kyla Stephens, and Grady Stephens both of Las Vegas; sister, Wanda Henderson of Rome, GA; and 2 nephews and 2 nieces.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 29, 2021, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Mill Town Music Hall. Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM with Rev. Shane Parrott, Rev. David Smith, and Rev. Robert Schrader officiating. Interment will follow in Melrose Hills Memorial Park in Villa Rica with Mitch Cash, Rodney Shirley, Kevin Cooke, Zach Stephens, Devin Tavalez, Jason Singleton, Timmy Stephens, and Pat Barker serving as pallbearers: Honorary pallbearers will be Zach Flowers, Chuck Profit, Eric Profit, Joe Brown, Butch Owens, Jordan Hamby, Tim Stephens, Harold Reed, Matt Dibler, Michael Lott and Lamar Newton.
Messages of condolences can be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin and Hightower Heritage Chapel has charge of the arrangements.