Ava Lee Pearce's Obituary
Ava Lee Pearce Her music here on Earth has been silenced… Our beloved passed away on June 2, 2009 after a brief struggle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a bone marrow disorder. The shocking diagnosis of this vicious disease devastated all who know and love her. At the age of 91 years and 6 months, she was active, vital, fun-loving, and absolutely beautiful. The disease robbed all of us of her in less than three months. She would have been 92 on August 31st and was looking forward to celebrating that day. She was born August 31, 1917 in Antelope, Texas in Jack County to Reverend Roy Lafayette Patton and Trula Bailey Patton. She graduated from Anna High School in Anna, Texas in 1935. She married John Stallings Pearce of Celeste, Texas in 1941 & together they raised three loving children. She was an accomplished pianist & loved playing her baby grand for a variety of audiences. She was a member of White Rock United Methodist Church & the Mr. & Mrs. Class for 55 years. When she was in her seventies and early eighties, she joined the singing group “The Guys and Dolls” & for 14 years enjoyed entertaining at local retirement homes for the “old folks”. She was a wonderful, loving wife, Mother, “Nanny”, & loyal friend who will be deeply missed. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women’s Organization, Prayer Ministry and Bible studies in her church. The focus of her life was her deep Christian faith, her family and countless friends. She had love to spare & extended that love to become cherished “Dallas Mom” to Karen Zeligson. She shared her loving kindness with the staff and fellow residents at Autumn Leaves Retirement and Healthcare in Dallas where she lived for 6 and 1 1/2 years. She was universally loved. She played piano for gatherings of residents & would take requests from her many fans. She never ceased to amaze her audience with her repertoire & talented playing, which was by ear. Such a gift! Her last concert was for her family just this past Mother’s Day. She loved her Texas Rangers and her Dallas Cowboys. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, brother Ray Patton, nephews Roger Pearce & Curtis Mulkey. Survivors include daughter Barbara Hargrove & husband Ron of Richardson, son Steve Pearce & wife Judy of Dallas, daughter Nancy Pearce & partner Penny Youngblood of Aubrey, sisters-in-law Vera Perkins of Corpus Christi, Hattie Patton Dearing of Commerce, grandsons Josh Hargrove of Mason & Matthew Hargrove of Commerce, niece Patricia Mulkey and husband Clark of Plano, nephew Jim Patton and wife Susan of Commerce, great nephews Jonathan Mulkey of Plano & Ray Patton of Commerce, great niece Marie Karnes and husband Alan of Commerce and their children Sherry and Shawn, nephew Dennis Pearce and wife Jan of Beaumont, nephew Bob Pearce and wife Sanna of Kemah, great niece Kate Pearce of Houston, great nephew Will Pearce of Beaumont, niece Lynn Pearce and great nieces Mary Ellen and Arlie of Charlotte, NC, cousins Jim Darr of Little Rock, AR & Cindy Powell of Wheaton, IL, step grandson John Burgin and wife Jamie & step great granddaughter Jadyn of Atlanta, Georgia, step great grandsons Jordin Burgin, Colton & Dustyn Chambers of Garland, and great niece Josie Ferguson of Ore City. Although she was 91 and 1 1/2 years young, she was stolen from us by this terrible disease. She will be missed sorely for the rest of our lives here on Earth, but our grief will only be relieved with the assurance that we will be rejoined in Heaven. She loved her Lord Jesus and lived her life as a witness for him. Her legacy lives on in all of the hearts she has loved and touched throughout her life. Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to Mother’s caregivers at Autumn Leaves (they are all God’s angels) and Mother’s beloved Kathy Myers. Their kindness, gentleness and love was a true blessing in Mother’s final month. Visitation Thursday, June 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas. Memorial service Friday, June 5 at 2:30 PM at White Rock United Methodist Church, 1450 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, 75218. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Rock UMC Music Ministry or Intercessory Prayer Ministry or the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, 100 Park Avenue, Suite 108, Rockville, MD 20850.
What’s your fondest memory of Ava?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ava?
Share a story where Ava's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ava you’ll never forget.
How did Ava make you smile?