Ten days after graduating from high school in Troy , Connie started classes at Samford while her family moved to Decatur so her dad could oversee the construction of a North Alabama campus of the Children ’ s Home . That move was also God-ordained . It was a tradition in Baptist churches during the 60s for college students to speak on a Sunday night during the Christmas holidays about the Christian activities they were involved in on their various campuses . Connie walked into the pastor ’ s study in Decatur in December of 1968 and saw four other college students ; but one had , in her opinion , the world ’ s greatest smile , the one she called Mr . Good Smile . After church , she quickly found her mother and asked if she could invite those students over to the house for a fellowship . Her mother hurried to the store for Cokes and chips , while Connie greeted her new acquaintances at the door one by one . She kept watching for Mr . Good Smile to show up . Finally , she opened the door to see him standing there . . . with his fiancée . Hopes were temporarily dashed , but Connie learned later that Mr . Good Smile ’ s momma was praying fervently , feeling that her son ’ s fiancée was not the best choice for him . Connie returned to Samford . Mr . Good Smile returned to his veterinary classes at Auburn , and his mother kept praying .
By August of 1970 , the situation had changed completely . Both were home from school for the summer and showed up for prayer meeting the same Wednesday night . Mr . Good Smile asked if he could walk Connie home . The timing was perfect . Sparks flew , and in March of 1971 , Connie married Steve Pearson in the same church where they had met . This was another pivotal situation because Connie was a senior at Samford , and Steve was a senior in vet school , and Samford does not have a vet school . As much as Connie loved Samford , she loved Steve more , so she transferred to Auburn to finish her degree .
During their short courtship , Connie asked Steve what his plans were once he graduated . His answer : “ Well , I ’ d like to start a practice in either Hartselle or Australia .” Somewhat startled , Connie said , “ Why don ’ t we start with Hartselle and see how that works out ?” On April 2 , 1973 , Pearson Animal Hospital opened for business , and they found out that Connie was pregnant . They had no money in the bank . They furnished their three-room , rented vet clinic at yard sales and borrowed the down payment on a small house . They had nowhere to go but up and plenty of reasons to work hard .
Steve started doctoring cows , horses , pigs , goats , dogs , and cats , while Connie began her first career by offering
Connie is dressed up for a speaking engagement about travel writing .
Connie Pearson is pictured in Louisiana on a press trip holding a baby alligator .
CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE SPRING 2022 | 39