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James
"Jim" Madison Pearce He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Levin Clyde Pearce and Corinna Mozelle Alford Pearce. He was a professional baseball pitcher for 15 years. His baseball career took him to many places, Canada, Cuba, Panama, South America and all over the United States. He was called up to the major leagues, and played with the Washington Senators and the Cincinnati Reds. He continued to receive letters from fans asking for his autograph. He was a star on and off the field to his family. After baseball, he worked at Westinghouse in Raleigh for 25 years as Metalurgist. James loved his God, family, church, and friends. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, especially singing bass in quartets. In his earlier days he was a farmer and had big gardens; he would take vegetables to shut-in's, and occasionally take his five granddaughters and one grandson to sing for the elderly. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, at the Pilot Baptist Church with Reverend Kevin Byers officiating. Burial in the Pearce Family Cemetery. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years, Sylvia Brady Pearce; and their three children, Reverend James Pearce and his wife, Sherry of Apex, Gayle P. Aiken and husband, Wiley of Raleigh, and Linda P. Cochran and husband, Greg of Knightdale; grandchildren, Sheryl, Christian and Andrew Pearce, Lauren A. Watson and husband, Eric, Rebekah Aiken, and Melissa Cochran; sisters, Louise Griffin and husband, Tom of Elizabeth City, Rebecca Wilder of Louisburg; brother, David Pearce and wife, Shirley of Pilot; brothers-in- law, Shelby Alford of Raleigh, Bob Hudgins of Statesville, William Howard Royal, John Scott Royal of Jacksonville, FL, and Jimmie Brady of Hollywood, FL; many nieces and nephews. James was much loved by his family and will be always missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Cherrie P. Averitt and husband, Rudy, LaRue P. Hudgins, and Rachel P. Alford. A special thank you to Dr. Stephen Marsh and staff, and to the nurses and staff at the Dialysis Center in Zebulon. Memorials may be sent to the NC Baptist Foundation, Clyde and Corinna Pearce Memorial, c/o Pilot Baptist Church, 8103 NC Highway 39 South, Zebulon, NC 27597. The family will receive friends 7:00-8:30 p.m., Monday, at the Pilot Baptist Church, 8103 Highway 39, Zebulon and other times at the home. Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home, Wendell. |
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