Shirley D. Pearce, 89, of rural Parsons died at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at her home.
She was born Sept. 9, 1935, at rural Fort Scott, a daughter of L.W. “Shorty” and Ruby Lee (Ballinger) Lakin. Her family moved to Parsons when she was 7 and she grew up and attended school here. She graduated from the Parsons High School in 1953 and attended two years at the Parsons Junior College. She was employed at the Fred Ronald Manufacturing, The Broderick Co. and later worked as a secretary at M.F.A. Insurance Adjusting. She worked 25 years at Mid-State Adjustment Inc., retiring on Oct. 31, 1997. Her favorite job was being a mom and grandma.
She married Ralph Pearce on Nov. 6, 1955, at the former Evangelical United Brethren Church at Parsons.
She was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, painting, painting cards, gardening and other crafts.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph Pearce of the home; a son, Ricky Allen Pearce of rural Parsons; a daughter and son-inlaw, Pam and Dale Mathis of Parsons; two grandchildren, Jake Mathis of Parsons and Sabrina Woodman and her husband, Jesse, of Parsons; four great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Gum of Kansas City, Kansas, Reece Mathis, Briar Mathis and Jett Mathis, all of Parsons; a great-great-granddaughter, Nellie Parker Mathis of Fredonia; and a sister, Charlotte Titsworth of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Parsons Arboretum and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
