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Obituaries

Mary Pearce

03/16/1915 - 08/26/2014

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Obituary For Mary Pearce

Mary Pearce, 99, of Sherman died on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at Preston Place – formerly Preston House – which had been her home for the past four years. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2nd, in Dannel Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Joe Ed Goolsby officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow immediately afterward in Tioga Cemetery. Mary was born Mary Eleanor Partain in Tioga, Texas to Lena Blanche (Sinclair) and William Henry Partain on March 16, 1915. Since 1933 she has lived in Sherman, except for six years in the 1950's, when she lived in Fort Worth. She attended public schools in Tioga where she knew a boy named Orvon who would grow up to be the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. She recalled spending the night with her girlfriends on the Gordon farm where the teenaged Autry would ride his bicycle three miles to play the piano and guitar since he was “sweet” on Nellie, one of the Gordons’ daughters. In a 2003 interview with the Herald Democrat, Mary said, “We would“drop everything and run downstairs to the living room because we loved to hear his beautiful voice.” When her parents took her uptown to have dinner on Saturday nights, her father would take her to Anderson’s barbershop to hear Autry sing and play his $8 guitar. Mary herself was a music student, both in Tioga and later at Kidd-Key College. In her teen years, she was the pianist at the Tioga Methodist Church. After graduating from high school in 1933, she moved to Sherman where she worked for the Grayson County Home Demonstration Agent, Eunice King, who later founded Eunice King’s Kitchen and Tea Room and was nationally famous for her holiday fruitcakes. Mary later worked for Cox’s Department Store in Fort Worth, as the office manager for the Retail Merchants Association in Sherman and at Medical Plaza Hospital processing insurance claims. She retired at age 73, but maintained her use of the computer, enjoying emailing friends and family well into her nineties. Working at the courthouse in 1941, she met a dashing, young school principal from Whitesboro, Paul Hampton Pearce. They married that same, ominous year of war looming in Europe and Asia. Their only child, W. Paul, was born in 1942. Part of the “greatest generation,” Mary did her part to keep the home fires burning as her husband became a U.S. Navy officer and spent three years in the service during World War II, most of it in the South Pacific Theater. Mary and the late Mr. Pearce, who retired from J.C. Penney Company, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 1991. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sherman, Riverside Methodist Church in Fort Worth and the former Travis Street Methodist Church in Sherman. She also enjoyed activities with the Business & Professional Women’s Association, various church organizations, as well as local book and garden clubs. W. Paul survives along with his wife Susan (Hunter) of Schaumburg, Illinois. Mary leaves behind two granddaughters, Katharine Nance Pearce of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Jessica Hunter Pearce of Chicago. Both granddaughters followed their grandmother’s musical paths as members of the Chicago Master Singers and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, respectively. In lieu of flowers, the Pearce family would be especially honored by memorial donations to either the First United Methodist Church, 401 N. Elm Street, Sherman, TX 75092 (www.firstmethodistsherman.org) or to the Home Hospice of Grayson County, 505 W. Center Street, Sherman, TX 75090 (www.homehospice.org).

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Condolences

  • 10/03/2014

    Rick, Pam, Nicolle & Adrienne Struss

    Aunt Mary meant so much to so many. Her smile was warm, loving and welcoming. I enjoyed her laughter and she will continue to be with us through fond memories. It is hard to lose a mother; we lost Peggy almost a year ago, and she is so missed. I know they are both at peace and planning a family reunion in heaven ~ Rick, Pam, Nicolle & Adrienne Struss, Reedville, Virginia

  • 09/13/2014

    Ray Carrico

    Paul, I remember you telling me some stories about your mother, and I enjoyed hearing them. So she made memories for those who really didn't know her! Now that's a story. Love, Uncle Ray and Arah ~ Ray Carrico, Champaign, Illinois

  • 09/12/2014

    Stacey Gudgel, LMSW

    Paul, what an honor it was to get to know your Mom in these last several months. I'll always cherish my visits with her! Thinking of you and your family during this time. ~ Stacey Gudgel, LMSW, Sherman, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    Kathy Harmon

    Paul, Susan and Girls I am sorry to hear of Mary's death. May you find comfort in your loving memories. ~ Kathy Harmon, Orland Park, Illinois

  • 09/12/2014

    Bob and Sandi Lovell

    To let you know that our thoughts of deepest sympathy are with you. Sorry for your loss. ~ Bob and Sandi Lovell, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

  • 09/12/2014

    John and Dian Self

    So sorry to hear about your Mom. ~ John and Dian Self, San Diego, California

  • 09/12/2014

    Bill Krumm

    Paul, very sorry for your loss. I would have loved to see her one more time 99, that is amazing! Take care, ~ Bill Krumm, Dallas, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    David and Pam Diffibaugh

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Mary will be missed, but comfort comes knowing that she is home. ~ David and Pam Diffibaugh, Sherman, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    Harold and Gelene Woody

    With each of you, we honor and remember a very special lady. ~ Harold and Gelene Woody, Sherman, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    Nana Lee Burch

    So sorry I was unable to attend Aunt Mary's services and to see you all as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. She was a very unique and special person and I know all your sweet memories of her will be a comfort to you in this time. Love and prayers, ~ Nana Lee Burch, Amarillo, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    Sherry Little

    On behalf of all of us at Home Hospice I want to express our heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your mother. ~ Sherry Little, Sherman, Texas

  • 09/12/2014

    Patrick McEwen

    Paul and Susan, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. ~ Patrick McEwen, Schaumburg, Illinois

  • 09/08/2014

    Gene Opalinski

    Sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your Mom. ~ Gene Opalinski, Elgin, Illinois

  • 09/08/2014

    Jim and Mary Downs

    Thinking of you and hoping that time will bring you comfort. ~ Jim and Mary Downs, East Dundee, Illinois

  • 09/07/2014

    Kirk, Lori, Talon & Teagan Hunter

    Sorry to hear, Uncle Paul. Kisses and Hugs. ~ Kirk, Lori, Talon & Teagan Hunter, Avon, Illinois

  • 09/03/2014

    Alisha Clark

    Hi my name is Alisha Clark and i was one of the ones who helped take care of Marry at the Preston House and i hate i missed her service but i know now that she is not in anymore pain or suffering. Im sorry for your loss and i will be keeping your family in my prayers. ~ Alisha Clark, Sherman, Texas

  • 09/01/2014

    Your Mom was a wonderful person. I worked with her for 15 years at the hospital before she retired. Sorry I am unable to attend the service. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Shirley Herron

  • 09/01/2014

    Ed Ewing

    Linda and I were very sorry to hear about the death of your Mom. I know it is hard to lose your mother, but she lived a very full life. You were so very fortunate to have her in your life as long as you did. Just remember, she will always be with you as long as you keep the wonderful memories. ~ Ed Ewing, Schaumburg, Illinois

  • 09/01/2014

    Jackie (Parks) Shelley

    Your Mom has been a friend to my family all my life. Dora, my oldest sister, and your Mom were big buddies as teenagers in Tioga. You had a wonderful Mom and she had a wonderful son. I am sure you kept her going and miss her a lot. ~ Jackie (Parks) Shelley, Tioga, Texas

  • 09/01/2014

    Pamela Struss, PhD

    I am so sorry for your loss, it is so hard losing a parent regardless of what age they are. Aunt Mary is an inspiration, she never stood still with the times. I will never forget the first email I received from her, she was amazing. In time may you comforted by all the memories, love and happiness she brought to you. I will always remember her fondly, I loved her, she was always warm, gracious and loving. Peace. ~ Pamela Struss, PhD, Reedville, Virginia

  • 09/01/2014

    David Rylander

    I am sorry for your loss, but I guess we can't hope for much more than a wonderful long life and peaceful passing. ~ David Rylander, Sherman, Texas

  • 08/30/2014

    Jimmy Harrell

    Mary was always a perfect lady and a great addition to the Preston House. It was a pleasure knowing her and working with her. Jimmy Harrell ~ Jimmy Harrell, Sherman, Texas

  • 08/30/2014

    Philip Pitts, M.D.

    May you gain comfort in knowing what a grand and expansive life Mary had. I enjoyed knowing her. ~ Philip Pitts, M.D., Sherman, Texas

  • 08/28/2014

    Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Mary was a "lady" and have fond memories of her - enjoyed her e-mail. She always had a smile for everybody. Wanda and James Groce

  • 08/28/2014

    Tomasa Cheatham

    May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. ~ Tomasa Cheatham, Sherman, Texas

  • 08/27/2014

    Susan Whitaker

    I know that Mary Pearce is doing well in Heaven. My Grandmother Gladys Judd is there to show her around and they have a lot of catching up to do. ~ Susan Whitaker, Shreveport, Louisiana

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