JOE B. PEARCE

Joe B. Pearce GREENVILLE, SC - Joe Butler Pearce, 81, of Greenville, husband of Jo Lynne Lambert Pearce, died Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at home after a lengthy illness. Born March 11, 1931, in Greenville, he was a son of the late Christopher Columbus Pearce, Jr., and Iris Landrum Pearce. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Long Pearce, his brother C. C. Pearce III, and sister, Kathleen Pearce Geiger. A 1949 graduate of Greenville High School, he received his BS Degree in Business Administration from USC in 1953. While at USC he was a member of SAE Fraternity and ODK honorary Fraternity. After serving two years overseas as a First Lieutenant in the US Air Force, he returned home and began his long career at PYA Monarch, Inc./Sara Lee Corp, serving as President of Pearce Young Angel Inc., from 1969 - 1979 and President and CEO of PYA/Monarch, Inc. 1989-1993. He was also very involved in the food service industry, serving on the Board of Directors of National Frozen Food Association, Markon Produce Cooperative, International Foodservice Distributors Association, as well as the Board of the Produce Marketing Association. In 1990 he received the University of South Carolina College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award. In addition to his successful business career, Joe's generous and caring spirit was felt by all who knew him. He was active both in the community and his church, serving as Chairman of the Christ Church Episcopal School Board, as well as a Vestry Member and Senior Warden of Christ Church. He was also a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, chaired the Civil Service Commission for the City of Greenville and served as President of the Poinsett Club, the Cotillion Club and the Charity Ball. Joe was a quiet, kind man and beloved father and grandfather who loved his family and his faithful furry companion Josie. He enjoyed his Monday and Friday lunches with friends. Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughters, Elizabeth Pearce Gilpin (Dr. Albert T. Gilpin, Jr.) of Florence, SC; Leslie Pearce Ervin (Mr. John M. Ervin, III) of Darlington, SC; Mary Butler Pearce Locke (Mr. W. Heyward Locke) of Greenville; Joan Pearce Bates (Mr. John P. Bates) of Winston-Salem, NC; and stepchildren Kelly Bowles Young (Mr. Clay H. Young) of Charlotte, NC; Amy Bowles Propst (Mr. J. Michael Propst) of Raleigh, NC; and Mr. Hargrove Bowles IV (Jennifer Wolfe Bowles) of Lehi, Utah. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Albert Thomas Gilpin III, Elizabeth Laney Gilpin, Harriet Pearce Gilpin, John McIver Ervin IV, Kathleen Pearce Ervin, Elizabeth Ann Bates, Sydney Ellis Bates, Clay Hutchinson Young, Jr., Boyce Bowles Young, Elizabeth Whitehurst Young and Patrick Lambert Propst. The family would like to thank Ann Pickens, Janet and Brenda Evans, Janine Griggs, Michelle Ellison and Mary Smith for their loving care and devotion to Joe during his long illness. Services will be Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, with the Rev. Harrison McLeod and the Rev. Bob Chiles officiating. Interment will follow in the ChurchYard. Following the interment, a reception will be held in McCall Parlor. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Salvation Army, Faith Memorial Chapel, Cedar Mountain, NC, Christ Church, Alzheimer's Association, York Place or the charity of one's choice. The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive Online condolences at www.mackeymortuary.com