Person Page - 2

Minnie Lucretia Cain

• Biography*: Name Source: Family records give Lucretia as the correct middle name.
• Birth*: Minnie was born on 28 Aug 1881 at Ammon, Bladen County, NC. Turnbull township.
  Per 1900 census, Bladen County, NC..
• Residence: She resided in 1900 at Turnbull, Bladen County, NC.
• Residence*: She resided in 1910 at Turnbull, Bladen County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married John C. Beard on 26 Jul 1913 at Bladen County, NC.
• Death*: Minnie died on 22 Jul 1955 at age 73.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Cumberland County, NC. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery.

Parents:

John C. Beard

• Biography*: He was from Beards Station, Cumberland County, NC.
  
  Occupation: Farmer, He worked for the Railroad.
• Birth*: John was born on 10 Dec 1875 at Bladen County, NC.
• Marriage*: He married Minnie Lucretia Cain, daughter of Calvin Musgrove Cain and Margaret Delight Johnson, on 26 Jul 1913 at Bladen County, NC.
• Death*: John died on 1 Sep 1929 at age 53.
• Burial*: His body was buried. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery.

William Henry Bowers , Jr. 'Henry'

Gravestone of William Henry Bowers

• Biography*: Confederate Soldier?
• Birth*: William was born on 4 Jul 1847 at Davidson County, NC.
• Residence: He lived in 1850 at Davidson County, NC, 1850 Census, listed as Wm. H. Bowers, living with parents..
• Marriage*: He married Adline Kepley, daughter of Mathias Kepley 'Tice' and Elizabeth Younts, on 25 Oct 1866. 1866 from 1900 Census.
• Residence: William Henry Bowers , Jr. 'Henry' lived in 1870 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1870 Census, head of household, listed as Willim Bowers.
• Residence: He lived in 1880 at Imbley, Davidson County, NC, 1880 Census, head of household, listed as W. H. Bowers.
• Residence: He lived in 1900 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1900 Census, head of household, listed as Wm H. Bowers.
• Residence: He lived in 1910 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1910 Census, head of household, listed as Willaim H. Bowers.
• Residence*: He lived in 1920 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1920 Census, head of household, listed as Henrey Bonners.
• Death*: William died on 21 Mar 1926 at Davidson County, NC, at age 78. From gravestone.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Conrad Hill Townpoint, Davidson County, NC. Holly Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Parents:

Adline Kepley¹

Gravestone of Adline Kepley Younts

• Biography*: Name reference - Gravestone has Adline Bowers.
  1900 Census has Adline Bowers.
• Birth*: Adline was born on 29 May 1842 at Davidson County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married William Henry Bowers , Jr. 'Henry', son of William Henry Bowers , Sr. and Matalinna Conrad 'Mary', on 25 Oct 1866. 1866 from 1900 Census.
• Residence: Adline Kepley lived in 1870 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1870 Census, living with husband, listed as Adaline Bowers.
• Residence: She lived in 1880 at Imbley, Davidson County, NC, 1880 Census, living with husband, listed as Adaline Bowers.
• Residence: She lived in 1900 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1900 Census, living with husband, listed as Adline Bowers.
• Residence: She lived in 1910 at Conrad Hill, Davidosn County, NC, 1910 Census, living with husband, listed as Adeline Bowers.
• Residence*: She lived in 1920 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1920 Census, living with husband, listed as Ailline Bonners.
• Death*: Adline died on 22 Oct 1925 at Davidson County, NC, at age 83. From gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Conrad Hill Townpoint, Davidson County, NC. Holly Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Parents:

Jacob Lee Bowers 'Jake'

Gravestone

Gravestone

Marriage Record

Death Certificate

• Biography*: 1895.
  He moved from Lexington, NC to Houston, TX in 1895.
  
  1906.
  The Dispatch, 17 Jan., 1906, Lexington, NC. An article reads as follows - Yesterday we were pleased to receive a call from Mr. J. L. Bowers, a Dispatch subscriber from Houston, Texas. Mr. Bowers arrived last Saturday. He is a native of Davidson County [NC], but for the past eleven years has been in Texas, where he is railroading. Mrs. Bowers has been here for the past few months seeking better health, and we are pained to hear that she has not improved. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are with Mr. J. E. Goss, father of Mrs. Bowers.
  
  1908.
  He lived at 718 Walnut St., Houston, TX in 1908 - a widower.
  He had entered his daughter into a boarding school.
  
  1916.
  He lived at 844 Harvard St., Houston, TX, at the time of his death, 14 Apr., 1916, 49 years old.
  His death certificate states that he was in the Signal Service of the railroad. He was a Railroad Bridge Tender and the railroad bridge spanned the water separating Galveston from the mainland, making Galveston, TX, an island.
  
  The Dispatch, Apr., 1916. An article reads as follows - Mr. Jake L. Bowers, son of Mr. W. H. Bowers of Conrad Hill, died April 14th in the St. Josephine Infirmary, Houston, Texas, after suffering for nearly a year from hardening of the arteries. His remains were brought here Friday and funeral services were conducted from the home of his brother, Mr. John F. Bowers, on Center Street, by Rev. V. Y. Boozer, assisted by Rev. J. M. Senter. The body was laid to rest in the city cemetery, as it was the request of the deceased just before death that all that remained mortal of him might be borne back to his native heath for its last abiding place. Deceased was 38 years old and had twice been married, first to Miss Mary L. Goss, who died in 1906, leaving one daughter, Jessie May. The second wife, who was Miss Annie L. Horton, survives, with one daughter, father, mother, five brothers and two sisters. Mr Bowers was in Houston infirmary for two months previous to his death and while ill received many calls from Texas friends and two uncles, Mr. A. L. Bowers, of Taylor, Texas and Mr. Jake Bowers of Palestine, Texas. Previous to becoming ill, Mr. Bowers had been in the employ of the ? H & H Railway for twenty one years.
• Birth*: Jacob was born on 27 Jul 1867 at Davidson County, NC.
• Residence*: He lived in 1870 at Conrad Hill, Davidson County, NC, 1870 Census, living with parents, listed as Jacob Bowers.
• Residence: He lived in 1880 at Imbley, Davidson County, NC, 1880 Census, liviing with parents, listed as Jacob L. Bowers.
• Marriage*: He married Mary Lilian Goss, daughter of James E. Goss and Margaret Haseltine Owen, on 6 Oct 1894 at Davidson County, NC. Married by A. M. Young, J.P. at Jess Goss's house.
  Witnesses - John S. Miller, D. K. Young, L. A. Owen..
• Residence: Jacob Lee Bowers 'Jake' lived in 1900 at Houston, TX, 1900 Census.
• Marriage*: He married Anna L. Horton 'Annie', daughter of ?? Horton and ?? ??, in 1912 at Harris County, TX. From Marriage Record..
• Death*: Jacob died on 14 Apr 1916 at Houston, Harris County, TX, at age 48. Date Source: Gravestone
  From Bright's [kidney] disease.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Lexington, Davidson County, NC. Lexington City Cemetery.

Parents:

William Henry Bowers , Sr.

William's gravestone. "boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knownest not what a day may bring forth for death a ??ryhere." "Hege" is written on the bottom.

This gravestone is shared by William Henry & Mary Matalinna Bowers. Its located at Pilgrim UCC Cemetery

• Birth*: William was born on 8 Apr 1817 at Rowan County, NC. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Marriage*: He married Matalinna Conrad 'Mary', daughter of John David Conrad 'David' and Eve Hedrick, circa 1838.
• Residence*: William Henry Bowers , Sr. lived in 1860 at Davdison County, NC, 1860 Census.
• Death*: William died on 10 Jan 1890 at age 72. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Davidson County, NC. Pilgrim Reformed - United Church of Christ Cemetery.

Parents:

Matalinna Conrad 'Mary'

• Birth*: Matalinna was born on 14 Dec 1819.
• Baptism: She was baptized at Davidson County, NC. Religion:. And confirmed at Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
• Marriage*: She married William Henry Bowers , Sr., son of George Peter Bowers , Sr. (twin) and Lavina? Luvina Sullivan, circa 1838.
• Death*: Matalinna died on 9 Jul 1891 at age 71. From gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried in Jul 1891 at Davidson County, NC. Pilgrim Reformed - United Church of Christ Cemetery.

Parents:

Mathias Kepley 'Tice'

Gravestone

• Birth*: Mathias was born on 18 May 1799 at Rowan County, NC. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Marriage*: He married Elizabeth Younts, daughter of Peter Younts and Elizabeth Weaver or Weavel, circa 1824.
• Death*: Mathias died on 28 Jan 1888 at age 88. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Silver Hill, Davidson County, NC. Beck's United Church of Christ Cemetery
  
  Inscription:
  ae 88y 8m 10d, "Leaving 5 living children, 26 grandchildren, 33 great grand-children, to mourn over the loss of a good companion and father. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church from his early days and faithful until his death. The spirit of a noble, and great man has crossed over the river.".

Parents:

Elizabeth Younts

Gravestone

• Birth*: Elizabeth was born on 5 Apr 1803 at Rowan County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married Mathias Kepley 'Tice', son of David Kepley , Sr. and Anna Marie Maria? ??, circa 1824.
• Death*: Elizabeth died on 6 Nov 1886 at age 83. From gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Silver Hill, Davidson County, NC. Beck's United Church of Christ Cemetery
  
  Inscription:
  ae 83y 7m 1d, "Leaving 5 living children, 26 grandchildren, 26 great g-children to mourn over the loss of a good companion and mother. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church from her early days and faithful until her death.".

Parents:

Eunice Boyette Pearce

Eunice Ireland

Eunice [Pearce] Ireland

Eunice [Pearce] Ireland

Gravestone

Death Certificate

• Biography*: Name Source: self.
  FB: https://www.facebook.com/eunice.ireland?fref=tl_fr_box&pnref=lhc.friends
  E-mail: euniceyoungun@att.net
  E-mail: EuniceIreland@aol.com [old]
  E-mail: eireland@att.net [old]
  
  Eunice Boyette [Pearce] Ireland BIBLIOGRAPHY As told by herself- I was born in Robeson County, North Carolina a few miles from Parkton but closer to the 301 Highway.
  ----------------------
  Obituary
  
  Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland, 92, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 13, 2019 with her family at her side. Mrs. Ireland is survived by her daughters Kathy Ireland Long and husband Howard, Vicki Ireland Brewer and husband Terry, and a son Charles "Chuck" Ireland and wife Brenda. She is also survived by a sister Doris Pearce, brothers, William "Buddy" Pearce and Benny Morris Pearce and wife JoAn, grandchildren Scott Mauldin, and wife Tina, Matthew Long and wife Shannon, Brandon Long, Bobby Pressley, Lisa Skinner, Michael Pressley and wife Heather, Brandon Huneycutt and wife Ashley, Nena Talbert, Jonathan Matthews and wife Ericka, Kyle Brewer, Kendyl Brewer and 13 great grandchildren. Mrs. Ireland was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Arnot "L.A." Ireland Jr. and a daughter Lynn Annette Ireland, her parents Lonnie Ervin and Mary Jane Regan Pearce, sisters Mildred Pearce, Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, Clara Pearce Edge, Alma Catherine Pearce, Lucy Evelyn Pearce and a brother Norman Pearce, daughter-in-law Pamela Ireland and grandson Blake Thompson. She was born in Robeson County, North Carolina on September 5, 1926, where she spent most of her youth, graduating from Parkton High School in 1943. She joined St. Pauls Methodist Church in St. Pauls , North Carolina as a teenager. Mrs. Ireland attended Kings Business College in Charlotte. She married "L.A." Ireland Jr. on November 25, 1951. She was a plant assigner in State Staff Engineers Department of Southern Bell Telephone Company where she retired in 1977 with over 25 years of service. They continued to live in Charlotte, where they raised a family and were active members at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church. She was a Guardian ad Litem for about 10 years. She was a member of the W.J. Edwards Class, the Young at Heart Club, United Methodist Women Circle#2, and a Heritage Room Volunteer at Hawthorne Lane. She was a member of Mecklenburg Genealogical Society, North Carolina Genealogical Society, Wake County Genealogical Society, Southern Bell Pioneers and Communication Workers of America. She was politically active cherishing her right to vote. She volunteered regularly with the Board of Elections. She was a life-long learner and had many and varied interests and passed her love of learning on to her children. A celebration of life will be held at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church, 501 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 1 PM with a reception to follow. Interment will be private.
  
  -------------------------------
  Eulogy for Eunice Pearce Ireland
  Saturday, March 16, 2019
  Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church
  Dr. Mary John Dye
  From Proverbs 31:
  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
  ^11The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of worry.
  ^12She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
  ^13She seeks out tasks and works willingly with her hands.
  ^14She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food for her family.
  ^15She gets up while it is yet night to provide for her household.
  ^16She is wise in her considerations and her work bears fruit
  ^17She girds herself with strength, and her arms are strong.
  ^18She cares about the quality of all she does: her candle does not go out by night.
  ^20She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
  ^21She is not afraid of the what is to come for she has provided for her household
  ^23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the community.
  ^25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she rejoices in time to come.
  ^26She opens her mouth with wisdom; and kindness is on her tongue.
  ^27She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
  ^28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
  ^29Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
  ^30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, shall be praised.
  ^31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
  
  
  When we are looking for words on a day like today, we look for strong words, healing words, inspiring words. They are right there. And we have seen them connected with her before.
  Anytime we look up the word “Faithful” in the dictionary, any comprehensive definition will include the name of Eunice Ireland. (Now, for those of you who think looking up something in a dictionary is archaic, so try this: if you google “Faithfulness, you should get Eunice’s name and picture) 12
  The same is true of the word “Loyal”. Eunice Ireland is the definition of that important word. The fact that Nancy is playing the organ today and I have a chance to honor Eunice after all these years is one of many examples of Eunice’s sweet, loyal spirit.
  The same is true of the word “Devoted”. In the dictionary, on google, or life. The definition of “devoted” is the life of Eunice.
  The same is true of the words “principled” and “inquisitive” and “dedicated”.
  We have seen some of the most important words of life illustrated and defined by the life of Eunice Ireland. She was a blessing to everyone who knew her.
  I had the joy of knowing Eunice because she was a devoted, faithful, dedicated, loyal Methodist. Every Sunday at Hawthorne Lane, this church worships literally in the shadow of Mr. Wesley over there. So, I thought that we might be blessed by the words of Methodism’s founder about his exceptional mother, Susanna:
  John Wesley’s Tribute to His Mother
  “Take her for all and in all, I do not believe that any human being
  ever brought into the world, and carried through it a larger portion
  of original goodness than my dear mother.
  Everyone who knew her loved her
  for she seemed to be made to be happy herself
  and to make everyone happy within her little sphere. “
  It was from her that I have inherited that alertness of mind
  and quickness of apprehension without which it would have
  been impossible for me to have undertaken half of what I have performed.
  God never blessed a human creature with a more cheerful disposition,
  a more generous spirit, a sweeter temper or a tenderer heart.
  I remember when I first understood what death was
  and when I began to think of it, the most fearful thought it induced
  was that of losing my mother; it seems to me more than I could bear
  and I used to hope that I might die first.”
  Maybe after years of watching Eunice—
  remarkable example of Christian faith,
  supportive, strong “Mom”,
  a “Nanny” who was always present, you are thinking about the same things John Wesley was thinking. How do we take in the loss death brings; Maybe you are thinking:
  How her curiosity and love of learning became second nature in your own life;
  How her strong, moral, ethical grounding always reminded you of what was good in the world.
  How her convicted, but-not-argumentative spirit has spilled over into your family life and what a great gift her example would be to our drama-filled world today;
  How her presence and faithfulness to family gave you the assurance you were never alone;
  How her ordering of your life with chores taught you the value of work and how important it was for everyone to participate in family life;
  How her love for the outdoors gave you this amazing gift that when you see roses or lily of the valley or shamrocks or gingko trees, you are not only seeing the beauty that everyone else sees: you are feeling Eunice’s love.
  Today, like Mr. Wesley, you – and we -- are feeling blessed beyond words. You are wondering how you will manage with the loss of this beautiful life.
  Today, you are trying to calculate the number of ball games she attended for you – baseball, Legion ball, football, basketball…. all over North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia. How many events she came to for competitive skating?
  Today, you are trying to count the number of times she brought you to Sunday School and church, how many MYF meetings, youth camps, Camp Tekoa – all the kinds of events that, even at the end of her life, she wanted her memorial money to go toward.
  Today you are trying to take in the treasure chest of family memories—Eunice and LA taking care of grandchildren when they were sick, camping at the river or the lake or the beach; visits with families; special occasions as the grandchildren came along; passing the Grinch around at Christmas. Eating vegetables and corned beef and cabbage. 55 years of marriage as an example of shared, sweet love.
  Every time you are tempted to complain, you will laugh at how she taught you to give complaining up very young when complaining about nothing to do meant you would quickly get a list of lots of chores that she was glad to give you.
  She put family first in so many ways and then merged her love of family with her rich curiosity in a passion for genealogy. You will long remember all the research she did on genealogy and still, till the very end of her increasingly frail life, holding on to tidbits of her research so that when you walked in the door of her care facility, she would say, “I need to tell you one more thing” about the family.
  Today, you feel the benefit of her curiosity about life and you are wondering what more there is to learn and wondering how your curiosity will stay strong without her.
  Today you are recognizing how strong she was – being the 1^st woman to be a floor assigner for the State Staff Engineers Department of Southern Bell. Today you are remembering that Eunice lived in extraordinary times and how she honored the sacrifices of others. She was born just 6 years after the 19^th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. But it was a number of years after ratification that women actually voted in elections on every level. Eunice Ireland never missed voting in an election. You are remembering that she was a proud Democrat with principled opinions that she lived out without demonizing others or creating drama with those who disagreed.
  Today you are bound to be looking at the world and thinking of how much the world needs people to have convictions who don’t impose them on other people….how much we need people who are not argumentative but make it a practice to look at what others think. She was not just respectful of differences in general friendships. She lived it out in her most intimate commitment – her long, faithful love for LA. He was not a Democrat 12. She did not make the difference a point of dissension or an obstacle to fully shared love. They lived out a beautiful complementarian relationship. When she would go out to plant something, she would get the shovel, go out in the yard and stand there, knowing that L.A. would come out and do the planting. She had no intention of using the shovel. But she would carry it out there….. For over 50 years, they lived this beautiful, enriching, supportive love.
  Today, you are surely thinking about what a great gift it has been to have someone who led by example—who gave her heart to people, not to material things. Someone who was a lifelong learner and wanted to encourage a love of learning in everyone else.
  Today, your heart is full because you have watched how Eunice kept on enjoying life. Yes, she went to all your ball games—children’s games, grandchildren’s games. But, after you stopped playing ball or skating, she kept watching sports…. basketball, tennis and was a season ticket holder for the Charlotte Checkers. When she could no longer plant flowers in a care facility, she developed a fairy garden. She was a reader when she had time while she worked at Bell South. But after retirement, she took classes, became a guardian ad litem, got into genealogy, took DISCIPLE Bible Study, took computer classes, emailed and was on Facebook. She kept reinventing herself as her circumstances changed.
  So beloved, as you have such rich and full hearts today at all the things and people Eunice loved. As you watched her love and interests constantly expand, today we celebrate with you the amazing new realm that heaven opens for her. She is going to love it. She will love the reunion. She will love her newly healed capacities and she will love all the glory that is hers to experience. In Christian faith, we claim and affirm that the next chapter is better than the first. The end IS better than the beginning. That’s where her legacy of faithfulness comes forward to greet us with hope and joy and peace today.
  The Path of Life Reading format
  The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
  "Is the way long?" she asked.
  And her guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
  But the young mother was happy and she would not believe that anything could be better than those years. So, she played with her children and gathered flowers for them along the way and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them and life was good, and the young mother cried, "Nothing will never be lovelier than this."
  Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said, "Oh Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come," and the mother said, "This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage."
  And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So, the children climbed and when they reached the top, they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardships. Yesterday I gave them courage, today I have given them strength."
  And with the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil--and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said, "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness.
  And that night the mother said, "This is the best day of all for I have shown my children God."
  And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old, and she was little and bent. And her children were tall and strong and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone and their children after them." And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."
  And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said, "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a Living Presence. Temple Bailey
  Right at the time my own mother died, I found a verse that has stayed with me in a beautiful way. It says:
  She took my hand, my mother,
  And, placing it in the strong grip of God
  Released me that she might take
  His other hand.
  So, we are joined,
  she and I
  on opposite sides of the grave.
  (Peter Mead)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  God's People at Worship
  March 16, 2019
  A Service of Death and Resurrection
  Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland
  
  ENTRANCE
  Gathering and Prelude Ms. Jordan
  Entrance of the Family
  Opening Sentences and Prayer Dr. Steagald
  GREETING
  Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
  O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking
  with terror.
  6 I am weary with my moaning;
  every night I flood my bed with tears;
  I drench my couch with my weeping.
  This powerful lament, from Psalm 6, came to mind on Thursday morning when I got word that Eunice's long, long struggle was finally over.
  And her death, coming, as everyone knew it would… and how did it not come before now? But sudden and surprising all the same. She had lived so long with such dread sickness-such a strong, strong woman, feeble frail as she was-her death shocked us. I remember when my own grandmother died, at 104, my sister called and said, "Memie died." "Our Memie?" I said. I couldn't believe it.
  Shock. Grief. Relief. We feel all those things when someone has been so sick for so long…
       Relief not least, because most of us know, have experienced, how sickness and pain and age causes one to languish, to look forward to God's ultimate healing, because no other healer has power, any longer, to help…
       And those that love them, too-we look forward to that sad moment of parting, because we don't know how much longer we can take the weeping and suffering and changed personality of a loved one…
       Be gracious to us, O Lord… heal us… for our bones are shaking… and we don't know how much longer we can take it…
       But listen to how that Psalm continues:
  … the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
  9 The LORD has heard my supplication;
  the LORD accepts my prayer.
  That powerful doxology is a statement of our faith, the hope and trust of all Christians, that even at the end, especially at the end, we are not without hope; that God notes our suffering, regards our weeping, hears our prayers and finally, ultimately, eternally heals all our infirmities…
       A wonderful affirmation, today, as we gather together to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of
  Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland,
  Who was born in Robeson County,
  
  The daughter of Lonnie Ervin and Mary Jane Regan Pearce;
  
  Sister to Mildred, Juanita, Clara, Alma Catherine and Lucy Evelyn; sister to Norman, all of whom preceded her in death;
  
  Sister also to Doris, Buddy and Benny, and his wife JoAn, who survive her.
  
  Wife to L.A., who also preceded her in death;
  Mother to Kathy and her husband Howard, Vicki and her husband Terry, to Chuck, and his wife Brenda. A daughter, Lynn Annette, and a daughter-in-law, Pamela, preceded her in death.
       
  Eunice was Grandmother of 12...by my count 17, if you count the grandkids spouses; one grandchild, Blake, preceded her in death;
  
  She was great-grandmother to 13-
  
  A faithful Christian-a life-long Methodist, and long-time Hawthorne Laner, God bless her, who was, we believe, the last member of the Joy Outlook Class, and then the W.J. Edwards class; a member of Young at Heart, and the UMW, Circle #2; she was a Heritage Room volunteer…
  And one of her favorite hymns… Jesus Loves Me…
  Sing that now…
  She didn't have it on her list, but I am sure she sang Jesus Loves the Little Children, too, and Eunice herself worked for children on Jesus' behalf as a Guardian ad Litem…
  
  A long, full life…
  And if these last years took her gradually away from us, as she moved from us she moved toward him who, as she said, took such good care of her, her family and her church.
  I am only reiterating what has already been said in the heavenly places: Well, done, good and faithful servant.
  
  We gather in grief, acknowledging our mutual human loss…
  But there is relief, too, I think-joy for her healing and painlessness; she had suffered so much-and beneath all that the rest that we may feel, hope, too, to crown our love and our faith, as we remember that
  when he died, Christ destroyed our death.
  when he arose, Christ restored our life.
  that Christ will come again in glory.
  That, as in her baptism, Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland
  put on Christ,
  in Christ Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland is clothed with glory.
  Here and now, dear friends, we are God's children.
  What we shall be has not yet been revealed;
  but we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him,
  for we shall see him as he is.
  Those who have this hope purify themselves
  as Christ is pure.
  And so may God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.
  PRAYER
  Let us pray.
  O God, who gave us birth,
  you are ever more ready to hear
  than we are to pray.
  You know our needs before we ask,
  and our ignorance in asking.
  Give to us now your grace,
  that as we shrink before the mystery of death,
  we may see the light of eternity.
  Speak to us once more
  your solemn message of life and of death.
  Help us to live as those who are prepared to die.
  And when our days here are accomplished,
  enable us to die as those who go forth to live,
  so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and
  that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us
  from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  Eternal God,
  we praise you for the great company of all those
  who have finished their course in faith
  and now rest from their labor.
  We praise you for those dear to us,
  our loved ones who are no more.
  Days, months, even years may have passed
  and still we feel near to them.
  Our hearts yearn for them.
  We see them now with the eye of memory,
  their faults forgiven their virtue grown larger.
  And so does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight.
  We remember them with gratitude and bless their names.
  Especially, today, we praise you for Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland, Eunice,
  whom you have graciously received into your presence.
  To her, and to all whom we name in our hearts before you,
       grant your peace.
  Let perpetual light shine upon them;
  and help us so to believe where we have not seen,
  that your presence may lead us through our years,
  and bring us at last with them
  into the joy of your home
  not made with hands but eternal in the heavens;
  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
  Hymn "Victory in Jesus" #77
  
  PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
  
  Hebrew Scriptures
  
  
  Isaiah 43:
  …thus says the LORD,
  he who created you, O Jacob,
  he who formed you, O Israel:
  Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
  I have called you by name, you are mine.
  2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
  and the flame shall not consume you.
  3 For I am the LORD your God,
  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
  
  4 Because you are precious in my sight,
  and honored, and I love you,
  5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
  I will bring your offspring from the east,
  and from the west I will gather you;
  6 I will say to the north, "Give them up,"
  and to the south, "Do not withhold;
  bring my sons from far away
  and my daughters from the end of the earth-
  7 everyone who is called by my name,
  whom I created for my glory,
  whom I formed and made."
  10 You are my witnesses, says the LORD,
  and my servant whom I have chosen,
  so that you may know and believe me
  and understand that I am he.
  
  11 I, I am the LORD,
  and besides me there is no savior.
  12 I declared and saved and proclaimed,
  when there was no strange god among you;
  and you are my witnesses, says the LORD.
  
  18 Do not remember the former things,
  or consider the things of old.
  19 I am about to do a new thing;
  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
  I will make a way in the wilderness
  and rivers in the desert.
  for I give water in the wilderness,
  rivers in the desert,
  to give drink to my chosen people,
  21 the people whom I formed for myself
  so that they might declare my praise.
  25 I, I am He
  who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
  and I will not remember your sins.
  
  
  Psalm 31
  1In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
  2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
  3You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
  4take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
  5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
  6You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
  7I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
  8and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
  9Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
  10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
  11I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
  12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
  13For I hear the whispering of many- terror all around! - as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
  14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."
  15My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
  16Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
  17Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
  18Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
  19O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
  20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
  21Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
  22I had said in my alarm, "I am driven far from your sight." But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
  23Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
  24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
  
  Psalm 100, page 821          
       
  New Testament Scriptures
       John 14, I Thessalonians
  
  Hymn "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound" #378
  
  Meditation Mary John Dye
  
  Prayer:
  God of love, we thank you
  for all with which you have blessed us
  even to this day:
  for the gift of joy in days of health and strength
  and for the gifts of your abiding presence and promise
  in days of pain and grief.
  We praise you for home and friends,
  and for our baptism and place in your Church
  with all who have faithfully lived and died.
  Above all else we thank you for Jesus,
  who knew our griefs,
  who died our death and rose for our sake,
  and who lives and prays for us.
  And as he taught us, so now we pray. (Lord's Prayer)
  
  Hymn "It is Well With My Soul" #377
  Confession of Faith "The Apostles' Creed" #881
  
  I believe in God the Father Almighty,
            maker of heaven and earth.
  And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord:
  who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
  suffered under Pontius Pilate,
  was crucified, dead and buried;
            the third day he rose from the dead;
            he ascended into heaven,
  and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
  from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
       I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
            the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
            the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
  
  Directions to the Garden and Evans Hall
  
  Benediction Dr. Steagald
  Recessional
  Postlude
  ------------------------------------------------.
• Birth*: Eunice was born on 5 Sep 1926 at Robeson County, NC. Date & Place Source: self.
  
  near the McRainey farm.
• Residence*: She resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, listed as Eunice Pearce.. 1930 census, listed as Eunice Pearce..
• Marriage*: She married Leonard Arnot Ireland , Jr. 'L.A.', son of Leonard Arnot Ireland , Sr. and Mattie Mae Gibson, on 25 Nov 1951 at York, York County, SC.
• Residence: Eunice Boyette Pearce lived in 1964 at Charlotte, NC.
• Residence: She resided in Aug 2008 at Charlotte, NC, 28205-7818, 4932 Elder Avenue. (704) 537-5416, from Oct 1993. 4932 Elder Avenue. (704) 537-5416, from Oct 1993.
• Residence: She resided in Jun 2018 at Charlotte, NC, 28211.
• Residence: She lived in Jan 2019 at Charlotte, NC, Nursing home.
• Death*: She died on 13 Mar 2019 at NC at age 92.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Charlotte, NC. Sharon Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197543773/eunice-boyette-ireland.

Parents:

Leonard Arnot Ireland , Jr. 'L.A.'

Leonard Ireland

Gravestone

WWI Draft Card

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
• Birth*: Leonard was born on 16 Feb 1922 at Alamance County, NC. Date & Place Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111..
• Marriage*: He married Eunice Boyette Pearce, daughter of Lonnie Ervin Pearce and Mary Jane Regan, on 25 Nov 1951 at York, York County, SC.
• Residence*: He resided in Aug 2006 at Charlotte, NC, 28205-7818, 4932 Elder Avenue. (704) 537-5416, from Oct 1993. 4932 Elder Avenue. (704) 537-5416, from Oct 1993.
• Death*: Leonard died on 18 Aug 2006 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC, at age 84. Carolinas Medical Center.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Charlotte, NC. Sharon Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83817755/leonard-arnot-ireland.

Parents:

Lynn Annette Ireland

Gravestone

• Birth*: Lynn was born on 26 Jan 1961 at Charlotte, NC.
• Death*: Lynn died on 4 Feb 1961 at Charlotte, NC.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC. Sharon Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105679969/lynn-annette-ireland.

Parents:

David Stewart

• Biography*: He was from England.
• Birth*: David was born say 1952.

Pamela Johnson 'Pam'

Gravestone

• Biography*: Pamela Johnson Ireland: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice
  
  Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009
  
  Deceased Name: Pamela Johnson Ireland
  
  Charlotte NC United States
  Pamela Johnson Ireland Mrs. Ireland, age 47 of Charlotte died October 10, 2009 at her residence. A service to celebrate her life will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, Reverend Mike Carr officiating. Entombment will be in Forest Lawn West Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Mrs. Ireland was born in Lancaster County, S.C. July 31, 1962. She was a member of Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church and was a Licensed Barber. Survivors include her husband, Charles Fox (Chuck) Ireland, son, Jeffrey Blake Thompson and wife, Donna Maria , mother, Carolyn Hyatt Johnson of Charlotte, Mrs. Ireland was preceded in death by her father, Jesse William Johnson. Arrangements by Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC (704) 395-0055.
• Birth*: Pamela was born on 31 Jul 1962 at Lancaster County, SC.
• Residence: She resided in Aug 1991 at Charlotte, NC, 28209, 853 Wriston Place. 853 Wriston Place.
• Residence*: She resided in Apr 2003 at Charlotte, NC, 28214, 11140 Northwood Forest Drive, from Mar 2001, Non-published. 11140 Northwood Forest Drive, from Mar 2001, Non-published.
• Death*: Pamela died on 10 Oct 2009 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC, at age 47.
• Burial*: Her body was buried on 14 Oct 2009 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC. Mausoleum.
  Forest Lawn West Cemetery.

Parents:

Lonnie Ervin Pearce¹

Gravestone in Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, NC.

Obituary

WWI Draft card

USS Siboney manifest for 320th Amb. Co., 305th Sanitary Train, 80th Division in Norfolk, Va., sailing for France in WWI. PFC Lonnie E. Pearce is passenger no 19.
Note Source: Thomas

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
  He was in WWI, Private First Class, 320, Ambulance Co.
  
  PFC Lonnie E. Pearce sailed to & from France aboard the ships Siboney & Rotterdam with the 320th Ambulance Company of the 305th Sanitary Train. Soldiers of the 305th Sanitary Train of the 80th Division sailed to France for WWI on several ships, USS Mercury, USS Siboney, or USS Huron from Newport News & Norfolk, Virginia, in May, 1918. The Sanitary Train consisted of the 317, 318, 319, and 320th Ambulance Companies, the 317, 318, 319, and 320th Field Hospitals, and the 305th Sanitary Train Headquarters. The sanitary train returned to Hoboken, New Jersey, on the USS Rotterdam from Brest, France. The soldiers boarded the ship on May 20, 1919 in Brest France and arrived in Hoboken on May 31, 1919. Once ashore they were given refreshments by welfare organizations. They proceeded to Jersey City by ferry and then by passenger coaches to Camp Dix, New Jersey, for out-processing. All their possessions were sterilized in a steam sterilizer which was very effective. Any thing leather shrunk to a much smaller size. Sanitary Train was decommissioned on Jun 9, 1919. (Reference: "History of 318 Field Hospital" (2019) by Thomas Nelson; U.S. Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939)
  Contributor: Thomas (47966515.)
• Birth*: Lonnie was born on 2 Jul 1894 at Franklin County, NC. Date Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111, Death & Marriage certificates in Cumberland County, NC.
  
  Date Source: Gravestone..
• Marriage*: He married Mary Jane Regan, daughter of John Norment Regan and Phereba Margaret Rozier Humphrey, on 1 Oct 1919 at Cumberland County, NC.
• Residence*: He resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, head of household, listed as Ele? E. Pearce. 1930 census, head of household, listed as Ele? E. Pearce.
• Death*: Lonnie died on 10 Jun 1964 at Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC, at age 69. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: His body was buried at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery, near the intersection of Route 20 and I95..

Parents:

Mary Jane Regan

Mary (Regan) Pearce

Phereba Fort [Regan] Abbitt; Daniel Alexander Regan, Sr.; Mary Jane [Regan] Pearce

Children of John Norment & Phereba Humphrey Regan, circa 1912, Picture Source: Doris Pearce. Back row - Dan?, Wesley?, Robert, Clyde?, Nanny? Front row - Phereba, Mary.

Mary Jane (Regan) Pearce, James Robert Regan, Flora Ann Humphrey

Mary (Regan) Pearce

Mary Jane (Regan) Pearce

Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, NC.

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
  
  Lived in St. Pauls, NC.
• Birth*: Mary was born on 16 Nov 1894 at Saddletree, Robeson County, NC. Date Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111, Death & Marriage certificates in Cumberland County, NC.
  
  Date Source: Gravestone..
• Residence*: She resided in 1900 at Howellsville, Robeson County, NC, 1900 census. 1900 census.
• Marriage*: She married Lonnie Ervin Pearce, son of William Addison Pearce and Theodocia Valeria Morris 'Valeria', on 1 Oct 1919 at Cumberland County, NC.
• Residence: She resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, listed as Mary Pearce. 1930 census, listed as Mary Pearce.
• Residence: Mary Jane Regan lived in 1964 at Lumberton, Robeson County, NC.
• Death*: Mary died on 14 Jan 1974 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC, at age 79. N Street. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery, near the intersection of Route 20 and I95.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83817949/mary-jane-pearce.

Parents:

Norman Ervin Pearce

Norman Pearce

Norman Pearce

Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, NC.

WWII Draft card

• Biography*: He was in WWII, Sgt., Air Corps.
• Birth*: Norman was born on 14 Jul 1920 at South Hill, Lunenburg County, VA. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Residence*: He resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC.
• Death*: Norman died on 30 Jun 1947 at Augusta, GA, at age 26. He was in an auto accident in FL. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Burial*: His body was buried in 1947 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery, near the intersection of Route 20 and I95..

Parents:

Mildred Lee Pearce

Mildred Pearce

Mildred Pearce

Mildred Pearce, 1944.

Mildred Pearce, 1984.

• Biography*: Worked for the telephone company.
  
  Mildred Lee Pearce, 94, of St. Pauls passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017. She was born in Kenbridge, Virginia November 20, 1922 to the late Lonnie and Mary Regan Pearce. Mildred, who lived many years of her life in St. Pauls, retired as the Chief Operator for Carolina Telephone Company in Dunn, Whiteville and Fayetteville. Mildred also served her country in its time of need during WW ll, when she served as a civilian navy inspector with the U.S. Navy in the office of the Naval Inspector of Ordnance at Elkton, Maryland. Miss Pearce leaves behind to mourn her death, sisters, Eunice Ireland of Charlotte, Juanita Musselwhite of Fayetteville and Cdr. (Ret.) Doris Pearce of Charleston, S.C; brothers, William Pearce of St. Pauls and Benny Pearce of Eastover. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Norman Pearce and sisters, Clara Pearce Edge, Alma Catherine Pearce, and Lucy Evelyn Pearce. Funeral services will be held Wednesday March 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM at McNeill Mackie Funeral Home with a Visitation one-hour prior from 10:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: Doris and Mildred Pearce Scholarship Fund, Campbell University, 143 Main St., Buies Creek, NC 27506 or St. Pauls Methodist Church, 406 W. Broad St., St. Pauls, NC 28384. Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls, NC 28384.
• Birth*: Mildred was born on 20 Nov 1922 at Kenbridge, Lunenburg County, VA.
• Residence: She resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, listed as Mildred Pearce.. 1930 census, listed as Mildred Pearce..
• Residence: She lived in 1964 at Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC.
• Residence*: She resided in Oct 2011 at St. Pauls, NC, 28384-1515, From Jul. 1992.. From Jul. 1992..
• Death*: She died on 11 Mar 2017 at St. Pauls, NC, at age 94.

Parents:

Clara Marie Pearce

Clara [Pearce] Edge

Gravestone

• Biography*: Clara Marie Pearce Edge
  Gastonia - Clara Marie Pearce Edge, 84, of Gastonia, NC, died Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
  She was a native of South Hill, Virginia, and the daughter of the late Lonnie Ervin Pearce and Mary Jane Regan Pearce.
  VISITATION: after the memorial service Sunday, November 02, 2008, Myers Memorial United Methodist Church .
  MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2:30 PM, Sunday, November 02, 2008, Myers Memorial United Methodist Church.
  INURNMENT: Private
  Mrs. Edge was a member of Myers Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her. She was an avid gardener.
  Special thanks to the staff of Gaston Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care for her and her family.
  SURVIVORS: Sons: Ronald R. Edge and wife Darlene, Donald G. Edge and wife Teri, Joseph A. Edge and Shannon Dance, Daughters: Alma Marie (Rea) Rowland and husband Maurice, Doris Lee Jordan and husband Robert, Janice Carol Renchy and husband Bruce, Oleida Edge, Brothers: William Franklin Pearce, Benny Morris Pearce and wife Joann, Sisters: Mildred Lee Pearce, Eunice Boyette Pearce Ireland, Mary Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, Doris Pearce, Fourteen Grandchildren, Twelve Great Grandchildren
  PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: Parents, Husband: John Henry Edge, Sr. Son: John Henry Edge, Jr., Brother: Norman Ervin Pearce, Sisters: Alma Catherine Pearce, Lucy Evelyn Pearce
  OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Ed Biggers, Melody Cramer Bradley
  MEMORIALS: Myers Memorial United Methodist Church, Little Red School House Fund, 301 South New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054, Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054
  Condolences may be sent online at www.McLeanFuneral.com
  ARRANGEMENTS: McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.
• Birth*: Clara was born on 21 Jul 1924 at South Hill, Lunenburg County, VA.
• Residence: She resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, listed as Clara Pearce.. 1930 census, listed as Clara Pearce..
• Marriage*: She married John Henry Edge , Sr. 'Henry', son of John Alex Edge 'Alex' and Rebecca Gertrude Baxley 'Becky', on 11 Aug 1941.
• Residence: Clara Marie Pearce lived in 1964 at Gastonia, NC.
• Residence*: She resided in May 2004 at Gastonia, NC, 28054-4681, 507 Oakdale Street. 507 Oakdale Street.
• Death*: Clara died on 29 Oct 2008 at Gaston County, NC, at age 84.
• Burial*: Her body was buried on 2 Nov 2008 at Gastonia, Gaston County, NC. Gaston Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197607359/clara-marie-edge.

Parents:

John Henry Edge , Sr. 'Henry'

Gravestone

• Birth*: John was born on 11 Jun 1919 at Robeson County, NC.
• Marriage*: He married Clara Marie Pearce, daughter of Lonnie Ervin Pearce and Mary Jane Regan, on 11 Aug 1941.
• Residence*: He resided in 1992 at Gastonia, NC 28054, 507 Oakdale Street. 507 Oakdale Street.
• Death*: John died on 12 Oct 1996 at Gastonia, Gaston County, NC, at age 77. Lung cancer.
• Burial*: His body was buried on 15 Oct 1996 at Gastonia, NC. Gaston Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197607322/john-henry-edge.

Parents:

John Henry Edge , Jr.

Gravestone

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
  
  E-mail: jedge@carolina.rr.com.
• Birth*: John was born on 2 Jun 1942 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Residence*: He resided in Dec 1992 at Gastonia, NC, 28054, 113 Windsong Circle. 113 Windsong Circle.
• Residence: He resided in 2003 at Gastonia, NC, 28056-8897, 133 Windsong Ct., (704) 866-9190. 133 Windsong Ct., (704) 866-9190.
• Death*: John died on 2 Oct 2008 at age 66.
• Burial*: His body was buried on 5 Oct 2008 at Gastonia, Gaston County, NC. Union Presbyterian Church.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32215995/john-henry-edge.

Parents:

Doris Lee Edge

Doris Jordan

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
  
  E-mail: ladybug56@carolina.rr.com - not working.
  
  Doris Edge Jordan
  
  She was a very loving, family oriented lady who adored her grand treasures, and her husband "Prince Robert" was at the top of the list.
  
  Doris Lee Edge Jordan, 60, passed away on Dec. 12, 2016, at the Caromont Regional Medical Center with her family by her side. Doris' happy spot in the world was at the beach. She had a green thumb and loved being in the garden.
  
  Doris was the daughter of the late John Henry Edge, Sr and Clara M. Pearce Edge.
  
  She was preceded in death by one son; Matthew Jordan; one grandson Cory "CJ" Collins, two brothers: John Henry Edge Jr. and Donald G. Edge. Those left to cherish her beautiful memories and carry on her legacy are her husband Robert Jordan of Gastonia, North Carolina; one daughter and son-in-law: Hope and Cory Collins of White Lake, North Carolina; four sons and daughter-in-law: Michael Engelhardt of Lowell, North Carolina, Mark and Lisa Jordan of Gastonia, North Carolina, Kenneth Engelhardt of Lowell, North Carolina and Mo Williamson of Burlington, North Carolina; five grand treasures: Caitlin, Gracie, Katie Beth, Lorelia and Logan; two sisters and brother in law: Alma M. "Rea" and Maurice Rowland of Gastonia, North Carolina, Janice C. Renchy and fiance' Andy Anders of Gastonia, North Carolina; two brothers and sister-in-law: Ronald R. and Darlene Edge of Iron Station, North Carolina, Joseph A. Edge of Mount Airy, North Carolina; two sisters-in-law: Oleida Edge (wife of the late John Edge), Teresa Edge (wife of the late Donald Edge); numerous nieces and nephews also survive Auntie D.
  
  A Celebration of Life ceremony will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at Carothers Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 with the Rev. David McEachren to deliver words of comfort to the family and friends.
  
  The family will receive friends after the ceremony from noon to 1 p.m.
  
  In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorials be given in Doris' honor to the Gaston Hospice, 258 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054.
  
  If you wish to make expressions of love and share fond memories to her family, please visit Doris's guestbook at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
• Birth*: Doris was born on 17 Jan 1956 at Robeson County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married James Clay Williamson , III 'Clay' on 16 May 1981.
• Residence*: She resided in 1989 at Gastonia, NC, 28052, 1904 E. Garrison [Not valid as of Oct., 2014].
• Death*: Doris Lee Edge died on 12 Dec 2016 at Gastonia, NC, at age 60; Caromont Regional Medical Center.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Gasronia, Gaston County, NC. Gaston Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174023452/doris-lee-jordan.

Parents:

James Clay Williamson , III 'Clay'

• Biography*: Name Source: Eunice Ireland, Indiv.# 111.
• Birth*: James was born circa 1950.
• Marriage*: He married Doris Lee Edge, daughter of John Henry Edge , Sr. 'Henry' and Clara Marie Pearce, on 16 May 1981.
• Residence*: He resided in 1989 at Gastonia, NC 28052.
• Death*: James died on 19 Nov 1996 at Gastonia, NC.
• Burial*: His body was buried on 21 Nov 1996 at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church at NC.

Donald Gray Edge 'Donnie' (twin)

Donnie Edge

• Biography*: GASTONIA - Donald Gray Edge, 54, passed away November 18, 2013 at Robin Johnson House. He was born May 24, 1959 in Gaston County to the late John Henry and Clara Marie Pearce Edge.A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 120 Belmont-Mt Holly Rd Belmont NC 28012. The Revs. Angela Hollar and David MacEachern will be officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his brother John Henry Edge Jr. and brother in law Clay Williamson.He is survived by his wife Teri; sons Josh Edge and Jeremy Edge and wife Brittney; daughter Ashley Franckewitz and fiancée Eric Epps; granddaughters Jericah, Avery, Alaina, and Ansley; brothers Ronald Edge and wife Darlene and Joe Edge; sisters Rea Rowland and husband Maurice, Doris Jordan and husband Robert, Oleida Edge and Jan Renchy and Andy; father and mother in law Douglas and Barbara Bryson; many beloved nieces and nephews; special friend Dennis Friday and wife Trish; beloved pet Rosie.Donnie was a 1977 graduate of Ashbrook HS. He enjoyed fishing, NASCAR, horseshoes, golf, and the NC State Wolfpack. Most of all, he was a genuine family man that enjoyed spending time with his loved ones.The Edge family would like to extend a special thanks to Gaston Co. Hospice, Cancer Service of Gastonia and Dr Charles Meakin and staff .In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Ebenezer UMC. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gastongazette/obituary.aspx?pid=168113717#sthash.WvgMbgVd.dpuf.
• Birth*: Donald was born on 24 May 1959 at Gastonia, Gastonia County, NC.
• Residence*: He resided in May 1997 at Gastonia, NC, 28052, Hill Top Circle. Hill Top Circle.
• Death*: He died on 18 Nov 2013 at Gastonia, NC, at age 54; Robin Johnson House.

Parents:

Mary Juanita Pearce 'Juanita'

Juanita Musselwhite

Gravestone

Photograph by Picasa

• Biography*: Obituary:
  Mary Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, known to many as Juanita, passed away on Saturday June 9, 2018 in Fayetteville, North Carolina at the Whispering Pines Nursing Home. To celebrate her 89 years of life, a funeral service will be held at the Jernigan Warren Funeral Home, Fayetteville, North Carolina at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018, led by Reverend Scott Foster of St. Andrews Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Interment will follow at nearby Lafayette Memorial Park. She will be interred beside her husband of 56 years, James Curtis Musselwhite who passed away March 19, 2004. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the Funeral Home.
  Ms. Musselwhite, born January 10, 1929 in Robeson County, North Carolina, was predeceased by her parents, Lonnie Ervin Pearce and Mary Jane Regan Pearce of St. Pauls, North Carolina. Ms. Musselwhite was the fifth of ten siblings, four of whom survive her: Eunice Ireland, her husband LA deceased, of Charlotte, North Carolina; Doris Pearce of Charleston, South Carolina; Buddy Pearce, his wife Helen deceased, of St. Pauls, North Carolina; and Benny Pearce and his wife Joanne of Eastover, North Carolina. Predeceased were her siblings Norman Pearce and Mildred Pearce of St. Pauls, North Carolina; Clara Pearce Edge and her husband Henry of Gastonia, North Carolina; and Alma Pearce and Lucy Pearce as children, Robeson County, North Carolina.
  Ms. Musselwhite is survived by her three sons: Jim Musselwhite and his fiancee Bua Simmala of Silver Spring, Maryland; Mike Musselwhite and his wife Rosemarie Williams of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Joe Musselwhite of Fayetteville, North Carolina. In addition Ms. Musselwhite is survived by eight grandchildren and their spouses and ten great grandchildren: Janice Abruzzo and her husband Joe and their daughter Olivia of New York, New York; Paul Musselwhite and his husband Craig Molyneux of London, England; Laura Musselwhite and her husband Priyesh Patel and their daughter Zara of Durham, North Carolina; Elizabeth Musselwhite and her fiance David Almarines of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Katherine Fernandes and her husband Andre, and their daughters Lily and Bella of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Jeremy Musselwhite and his wife Celestina and their two daughters Mia and Genesis and son Micah of Houston, Texas; Amanda Musselwhite and her son Alex of Fountain, Colorado; and Angela Zellars and her husband Matthew and their two daughters Rebekah and Abigail of Houston, Texas.
  Ms. Musselwhite grew up in Robeson County, North Carolina, and graduated from St. Pauls High School where she was salutatorian and on the girls’ basketball team. She also was a member of the St. Pauls United Methodist Church. She had a lifelong love of basketball which until the end of her life was most consistently shown in her devotion to the Duke University Blue Devil basketball teams, a loyalty that she learned from her father and passed on to her sons, and to some, but not all of her grandchildren, some of whom went to the other school. Ms. Musselwhite met her future husband, Curt Musselwhite in St. Pauls, North Carolina, after World War II when he returned home from the Marine Corps and combat in the South Pacific. They dated at semi-pro baseball games where he pitched and managed while she kept score in the elaborate notations of the baseball score card not widely known today such as the backward k indicating a strikeout not swinging. They were married on February 25, 1948.
  Ms. Musselwhite was a long time resident of Fayetteville, North Carolina. She began working outside the home when her youngest son started school, working in small business offices and taking night courses to improve her skills. She became a civilian employee of the US Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where she worked on budget matters for more than 20 years and retired in April 1990. She was a long time member of St. Andrews Methodist Church where she enjoyed for many years singing in the church choir and the fellowship of the community in the church. She also sang with others from the church at nursing homes and other venues to bring cheer to those in need of comfort. She was a very independent person who lived her life the way she talked it and encouraged others to do the same. Her legacy is her grandchildren and her great grandchildren.
• Birth*: Mary was born on 10 Jan 1929 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Residence: She resided in 1930 at Rennert, Robeson County, NC, 1930 census, listed as Jaunita Pearce.. 1930 census, listed as Jaunita Pearce..
• Marriage*: She married James Curtis Musselwhite , Sr. 'Curtis', son of James Archie Musselwhite and Delilah Ann Bell, on 25 Feb 1948 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Residence: Mary Juanita Pearce 'Juanita' lived in 1964 at GA.
• Residence*: She resided in Oct 2011 at Fayetteville, NC, 28311, From Jul. 1992. From Jul. 1992.
• Death*: She died on 9 Jun 2018 at Fayetteville, NC, at age 89; Whispering Pines Nursing Home.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Fayetteville, NC. Lafayette Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190544980/mary-juanita-musselwhite.

Parents:

James Curtis Musselwhite , Sr. 'Curtis'

Gravestone

Photograph by Picasa

Gravestone

Photograph by Picasa

• Biography*: GY Sgt US Marine Corps World War II.
• Birth*: James was born on 1 Aug 1921 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Marriage*: He married Mary Juanita Pearce 'Juanita', daughter of Lonnie Ervin Pearce and Mary Jane Regan, on 25 Feb 1948 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Residence*: He resided in Apr 2003 at Fayetteville, NC, 28311, 5109 Chesapeake Road, from Jul 1992. 5109 Chesapeake Road, from Jul 1992.
• Death*: James died on 19 Mar 2004 at age 82.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Fayetteville, NC. Lafayette Memorial Park.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95831700/james-c-musselwhite.

Parents:

Doris Pearce

Doris Pearce.

• Biography*: Name Source: self.
  
  Occupation: CDR U.S. Navy, retired
  
  https://www.mcneill-legacyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/doris-pearce
  
  Doris Pearce
  August 12, 1930 — October 30, 2023
  St. Pauls
  Emblem
  Commander Doris Pearce (USN Retired) of St. Pauls, North Carolina and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina passed away on October 30, 2023. Born near Parkton, NC, in 1930, as the sixth child of Lonnie Ervin and Mary Regan Pearce. As a teenager, she and her family moved to St. Pauls, NC, where she attended school, playing basketball with her sister Juanita on the St. Pauls High School varsity girls basketball team.
  
  After graduating from St. Pauls High School, Doris attended the Park View School of Nursing in Rocky Mount before enlisting in the United States Navy, where she served her country for 21 years. Commander Pearce served on several bases in the United States and Japan, along with the USS Sanctuary where she was one of the first women sailors in the Navy as part of the sea going crew. During her time on the USS Sanctuary, she was stationed off the coast of Vietnam, where she cared for soldiers wounded during the Vietnam War. She was one of the only local women known to have served in the Vietnam War. Commander Pearce was awarded the following commendations for her bravery and service: the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign with Device, the Vietnam Service Medal (2 Stars), the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. She was a charter Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America, a Lifetime member of the Retired Officers Association, a US Navy Memorial Plank Owner, and a charter member of the Navy Nurse Corps Association. In 2016, Commander Pearce (ret) was chosen for a panel of 3 naval nurses who served in Vietnam, as part of the Angels of the Battlefield, the Unsung heroes Symposium held aboard the USS Yorktown.
  
  Doris retired in the Charleston South Carolina area, where she enjoyed educating visitors on the historic Nathaniel Russell house, as a member of the Historic Charleston Foundation and the Charleston Garden Club.
  
  Other than her parents, Doris was pre-deceased by eight of her siblings: Benny, Norman, Mildred, Clara Pearce Edge, Eunice Pearce Ireland, Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, Alma Catherine, and Lucy Evelyn.
  
  Doris is survived by her brother William “Buddy” Pearce of St. Pauls along with many nieces and nephews.
  
  A visitation will be held at McNeill Legacy Funeral Home in St. Pauls on Friday, November 3rd at 11 am, with a Celebration of Life to follow at noon.
  
  In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St Pauls United Methodist Church, 406 W Main St, St Pauls, NC 28384.
  
  To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Doris Pearce, please visit our flower store.
• Birth*: Doris was born on 12 Aug 1930 at Parkton, Robeson County, NC. Near.
• Residence: She lived in 1964 at Camp Lejune, NC.
• Residence*: She resided in Oct 2011 at Charleston, SC, 29414, From Aug. 1992.
  
  Date & Place Sources: self..
• Residence: She lived in Apr 2018 at Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464-3161, 1224 Village Circle Lane, Apt. K4.
• Death*: She died on 30 Oct 2023 at age 93.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at St Pauls, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Parents:

Alma Catherine Pearce

Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, NC.

• Birth*: Alma was born on 2 May 1932. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Death*: Alma died on 25 May 1932. Died of whooping cough. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery, near the intersection of Route 20 and I95.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175022753/alma-catherine-pearce.

Parents:

Helen Jean Green

• Birth*: Helen was born on 23 Feb 1937 at Robeson County, NC.
• Residence*: She resided in Aug 1993 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC 28384.
• Death*: Helen died on 3 Mar 1994 at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC, at age 57.
• Burial*: Her body was buried on 5 Mar 1994 at Oak Ridge Cemetery at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC.

Parents:

Lucy Evelyn Pearce

Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, NC.

• Birth*: Lucy was born on 8 May 1936 at Robeson County, NC. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Death*: Lucy died on 14 Apr 1938 at Cumberland County, NC, at age 1. At Cumberland County Hospital with acidosis. Date Source: Gravestone.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at St. Pauls, Robeson County, NC. Oak Ridge Cemetery, near the intersection of Route 20 and I95.
  
  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175022611/lucy-evelyn-pearce.

Parents:

Benny Morris Pearce

Benny Pearce

Benny Pearce

Benny Pearce

Benny Pearce was selected to the NCADA's Hall of Fame.

Benny Pearce, 2010 Regan Reunion.

• Biography*: E-mail: bpearce7@nc.rr.com
  (910) 483-0768
  
  29 JUN., 1996.
  Newspaper article reads as follows - Assistant superintendent retires after 33 years. Benny Pearce, assistant superintendent of support service for Cumberland County schools, retired Friday after 33 years of service. "It's just something I've been looking forward to for some time," said Pearce, 56. "At this point I need variety." Pearce was one of four top administrators who did not get pay raises this year. The county Board of Education approved raises for five administrators June 20. The raises go into effect Monday. Superintendent John Griffin had recommended creating a second-in-command job, giving it to Pearce, and giving him a $3,536 raise. But the school board rejected the plan. Pearce said he was not angry that he did not get a raise. He said the board's decision was one of many reasons he decided to retire. "I may have stayed around a while longer had I gotten a pay raise," he said. "But that was not the only reason." He said a school employee's retirement pay is based on his average compensation over the last four years of employment. So if Pearce had gotten a raise and waited longer to retire, his retirement benefits would have been higher. Pearce said he did not feel "stimulated" by his job anymore. He said he felt there were still some challenges, "but not strong enough to be in the position that my average compensation is not increasing." Pearce's first job with the school system was assistant principal at Massey Hill High School. He later became principal at the school, and moved into central administration in 1971. He said he had been considering retirement for some time, and is interested in working for a private school, for the federal government or for a school system in another state. Schools spokeswoman Sara Piland said Pearce is eligible for full retirement benefits. Pearce has accumulated about 18 months of sick leave, which means he will be credited for 34 years of service. Piland said the school system will miss Pearce's intelligence and expertise. "He's a scholar and he always brings such good thinking to our decision-making."
  
  -------------------------
  Article, St. Pauls Review, 16 Apr., 1998.
  Hall of Fame
  Pearce cited for contributions to state athletics
  Citing his contributions to the state athletic program, his versatility and ability to work in all phases of school administration, the North Carolina Athletic Directors' Association inducted Campbell University's Benny M. Pearce into its Hall of Fame recently.
  Mr. Pearce, a native of St. Pauls, is the current director of Public Information at Campbell. Before coming to the University, he spent 33 years in the Cumberland County School System, serving as math teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of athletics, student activities, and later as assistant superintendent of schools.
  Those who are inducted into the Hall of Fame are given the special honor because they have made unique and lasting contributions to the state athletic program in one capacity or another.
  Although Mr. Pearce's teaching field was mathematics and he never coached an athletic team, the NC Athletic Directors' Association, could not overlook the positive impact that many of his decisions made on North Carolina athletics program. Mr. Pearce advocated through the state association for high schools to videotape rather than film game highlights thereby saving the state's high school a substantial amount of money.
  He also argued successfully to the Cumberland County Board of Education for the purchase of $1 million worth of activity buses to transport high school athletes. Previously, the county had depended on 20 year-old buses which did not meet safety standards.
  When the state required all public school athletic tracks to be converted from yards to meters, once again Mr. Pearce came up with a money-saving solution. He discovered a means of changing the tracks to metric by remarking them, saving the county thousands in construction costs.
  "I think my tenure as an athletic director differed from other peoples' because I was never a coach," Mr. Pearce said. "I looked at academic achievement and other aspects of athletic administration, and was able to promote things that enhanced the program from a non-coaching perspective."
  The impressive induction ceremony at the exclusive Grove Park Inn in Asheville was in stark contrast to Mr. Pearce's birth on a tenant farm in rural Robeson County.
  Upon graduating from St. Pauls High School, Mr. Pearce went on to receive his bachelor of science degree in mathematics from North Carolina State University. He earned Master's and sixth-year degrees in education administration from East Carolina University and completed course requirements at UNC-Greensboro for a Doctorate degree.
  From 1963 until 1964, Mr. Pearce taught mathematics at Massey Hill high school, then quickly moved up the ladder to assistant principal, principal and director of athletics for Cumberland County. In 1993, he became assistant superintendent of schools for Cumberland County. He retired from the school system in 1996.
  During his extensive career, Mr. Pearce served on the North Carolina high School Athletics Association board of directors and as an accreditation facilitator and consultant for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He also served as one of the founders, president, secretary and treasurer of the Fayetteville area chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.
  Mr. Pearce was president of the Cumberland County Association of Educators, president of the North Carolina High School Athletic Director's Association, and director of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Eastern Regional Basketball Tournament in Fayetteville.
  In 1993, he received the Merit Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association in recognition of outstanding leadership and meritorious achievement.
  Mr. Pearce is an elder in his church, the First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, and a commissioned lay pastor of Coastal Carolina Presbytery. He and his wife, JoAnn, have two children, Brian, a senior at North Carolina State University and Kimberly, a freshman at North Carolina State.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NCADA web page -
  http://www.nchsaa.unc.edu/hof/ncadahall/98ncada.html
  
  Benny Pearce retired in 1996 after 33 years in public schools in Cumberland County and is now the director of public information for Campbell University.
  
  A graduate of North Carolina State University, Pearce is a former president of the NCHSADA as well as having spent a term on the Board of Directors of the NCHSAA. He received the NIAAA Award of Merit in 1993 and has also been a speaker at national conferences as well as serving on committees at the national level.
  
  Most of his 25 years in the Cumberland County central office included direct athletic supervision, new athletics facility design and construction, and the development of computer programs to track athletic eligibility.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Obituary:
  https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/28468729/benny-morris-pearce
  Born near Parkton, NC, in 1939, as the 10th child of Lonnie Ervin and Mary Regan Pearce, Benny and his family, soon after his birth, moved to Saint Pauls, NC, where he attended school. He became a letter recipient playing on outstanding high school football, basketball, and baseball teams. Always an admirer of his many talented teammates, he was equally impressed with those he played against to include such notable and gifted players as Roman Gabriel, Junior Edge, Calvin Koonce, Earl “Moose” Butler, and Wayne Edwards. All of these named opponents played professional sports.
  
  Benny Morris Pearce, 83, of Eastover passed away peacefully on Monday, July 17, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.
  
  Pearce was the Athletic Director for Cumberland County Schools for over 20 years and was named to the NC Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also named as one of “100 to Remember” by the NC High School Athletic Association in 2013, commemorating 100 years since the organization was formed in 1913. Among his many awards was the Order of the Long Leaf Pine presented by NC Governor Perdue in 2010. Along with his many athletic abilities, he was equally blessed with academic ability. Pearce turned down several offers for athletic scholarships (Appalachian State, Louisburg Junior College, Presbyterian Junior College, and the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding) to enroll on a partial academic scholarship at NC State University, where he received his B. S. degree in Mathematics Education. Friends and relatives also contributed financially to assist him in getting his education, otherwise he, because of finances, would not have been able to obtain his post-secondary degree. He also earned Masters and Professional (6th Year) degrees in Educational Administration from East Carolina University. Pearce started his educational career at Massey Hill High School where he served as teacher, assistant principal, and principal during his 8 years there and prior to his move to the Cumberland County Schools Central Office in 1971. He completed his 34-year tenure with the Cumberland County Schools as an Assistant Superintendent in 1996. He also served at Campbell and Methodist Universities after his retirement from the Cumberland County school system.
  
  In the community, one of Benny’s proudest moments came when the Progress Eastover Committee, of which he was a member, obtained through the NC Legislature, the incorporation of the Town of Eastover, N. C.
  
  Pearce was very active in his church, First Presbyterian of Fayetteville, where he was a Ruling Elder and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was commissioned as a Lay Preacher by Coastal Carolina Presbytery, and preached in over 30 churches located in Coastal Carolina Presbytery.
  
  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 11:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park. The Family will receive friends at the Church on Thursday from 10-11:30 AM.
  
  Other than his parents, Pearce was pre-deceased by seven of his siblings: Norman, Mildred, Clara Pearce Edge, Eunice Pearce Ireland, Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, Alma Catherine, and Lucy Evelyn.
  
  Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Joann Hocutt Pearce, his son Brian, and his daughter Kimberly Pearce Hall (Kevin) and three grandsons, Cameron Hall, Noah Hall, and Bryson Hall, as well as his brother, William “Buddy” Pearce of Saint Pauls and sister, Commander Doris Pearce, USN Ret., of Fayetteville.
  
  Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 or Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc., P.O. Box 1811 Dunn, NC 28335.
  
  Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com
  
  Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.
  
  To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Benny Morris Pearce please visit our Tribute Store.
• Birth*: Benny was born on 20 Nov 1939 at Parkton, Robeson County, NC. Near.
• Residence: He lived in 1964 at St Pauls, Robeson County, NC.
• Residence*: He lived in Jul 2023 at Eastover, NC, 28312, 1850 Middle Road
  From Jul., 1992..
• Death*: He died on 17 Jul 2023 at NC at age 83.
• Burial*: His body was buried at Fayetteville, NC. Lafayette Memorial Park.

Parents:

Nancy Mariah Regan 'Nannie'

Children of John Norment & Phereba Humphrey Regan, circa 1912, Picture Source: Doris Pearce. Back row - Dan?, Wesley?, Robert, Clyde?, Nanny? Front row - Phereba, Mary.

• Biography*: Marriage record has "Nannie Regan".
• Birth*: Nancy was born on 16 Sep 1888 at Robeson County, NC.
• Residence: She resided in 1900 at Howellsville, Robeson County, NC, 1900 census. 1900 census.
• Residence: She lived in 1920 at Rockfish, Cumberland County, NC, 1920 Census.
• Residence*: She resided in 1924 at Robeson County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married John McVicker on 10 Nov 1924 at Lumberton, Robeson County, NC.
• Death*: Nancy died on 4 Jun 1928 at Cumberland County, NC, at age 39.

Parents:

John McVicker

• Birth*: John was born in 1887.
• Residence*: He resided in 1924 at Cumberland County, NC.
• Marriage*: He married Nancy Mariah Regan 'Nannie', daughter of John Norment Regan and Phereba Margaret Rozier Humphrey, on 10 Nov 1924 at Lumberton, Robeson County, NC.

John Daniel Core 'Daniel'

Gravestone

• Biography*: Occupation: Farmer.
• Birth*: John was born circa 1807 at NC. 1850 Census has circa 1808.
  Per 1900 Census, Bladen County, NC - White Oak Township..
• Marriage*: He married Elizabeth Jane Hare 'Eliza'.
• Residence*: He resided in 1850 at Cumberland County, NC, 1850 Census, Head of Household.. 1850 Census, Head of Household..
• Residence: He resided in 1860 at Bladen County, NC, 1860 Census.. 1860 Census..
• Death*: John died on 30 Mar 1898 at White Oak, Bladen County, NC.
• Burial*: His body was buried at White Oak, Bladen County, NC. Center Methodist Church Cemetery.

Parents:

Elizabeth Jane Hare 'Eliza'

Gravestone

• Biography*: Occupation: Housekeeper.
  1850 Census has Eliza J. Core.
• Birth*: Elizabeth was born on 28 May 1819 at NC.
• Marriage*: She married John Daniel Core 'Daniel', son of Arthur B. Core and Miriam Culbreth.
• Residence*: She resided in 1850 at Cumberland County, NC, 1850 Census.. 1850 Census..
• Residence: She resided in 1860 at Bladen County, NC, 1860 Census.. 1860 Census..
• Death*: Elizabeth died on 15 Aug 1889 at White Oak, Bladen County, NC, at age 70.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at White Oak, Bladen County, NC. Center Methodist Church Cemetery.

Johannes Leonard 'John'¹

Gravestone

• Biography*: Name Source: Ray Haupt, Indiv. #106317 - from an antique document, penned by Jacob, shows his name as Johannes.
• Birth*: Johannes was born on 23 Jul 1791 at Davidson County, NC. Date Source: From Ray Haupt, Indiv. #106317 - A Fraktur, penned by Jacob Leonard, shows his birthdate as 23 Jul., 1791. His gravestone incorrectly shows1 Jan., 1791..
• Marriage*: He married Eve or Eva Leonard, daughter of Michael Leonard , Sr. and Catharine Catherine? Shoaf or Shofe or Schaff, at Davidson County, NC.
• Death*: Johannes died on 26 Apr 1847 at Davidson County, NC, at age 55. Date Source: Gravestone..
• Burial*: His body was buried at Silver Hill, Davidson County, NC. Beck's United Church of Christ Cemetery, row 11, #3..

Parents:

Eve or Eva Leonard

• Birth*: Eve was born on 20 Jul 1788.
• Marriage*: She married Johannes Leonard 'John', son of Johann Jacob Leonard , Sr. 'Jacob' and Anna Elizabetha Shoaf or Shofe 'Elizabeth', at Davidson County, NC.
• Marriage*: She married John Peter Grubb.
• Death*: Eve died. 1821? - doesn't match children's birth dates!.
• Burial*: Her body was buried at Davidson County, NC. Becks Church Cemetery.

Parents:

David Franklin Leonard

• Birth*: David was born in 1820 at Rowan County, NC.
• Marriage*: He married Elizabeth Michael 'Eliza', daughter of Captain John Fredrick Michael , Sr. and Christena B. Leonard, on 24 Feb 1844.
• Death*: David died in 1849. 1847?.

Parents:

Elizabeth Michael 'Eliza'

• Birth*: Elizabeth was born on 1 Dec 1825.
• Marriage*: She married David Franklin Leonard, son of Johannes Leonard 'John' and Eve or Eva Leonard, on 24 Feb 1844.
• Marriage*: She married Levi Evans , Sr., son of ?Joseph Evans and ?? ??, in 1848.
• Death*: Elizabeth died on 6 Aug 1903 at age 77.

Parents: