Mary Leis Pearce

March 2, 1938 - June 22, 2020

Mary L. Pearce entered into the presence of Jesus and became reunited with her husband in eternity June 22, 2020 at the age of 82. Mary was born to Edward and Elsie Leis in Clarence, New York and was the youngest of their six children. Quiet and unassuming with an eye for detail, she graduated high school at age 17 and launched into the world as a remarkably proficient secretary in the late 1950s. She often recalled fondly her days working for Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she and her girlfriends would capitalize on “Ladies Day” at Wrigley Field (discounted tickets for women). A fan of all sports, she kept up with college and professional football and regularly watched major league baseball on TV, always favoring the Texas Rangers, of course. After serving at Moody Bible Institute a few years, she embarked on a new adventure, taking a job at LeTourneau College in East Texas. While working as a secretary there, she met a playful, freckle-faced gentleman named Ted who had come to the office to sell insurance to her boss. Such began a romance that would span more than five decades, producing two children and seven grandchildren. Mary was known by all for her gentle kindness and self-sacrificing nature. For her to live was to care for and love others. She always avoided the spotlight and shunned personal recognition. When her children were small, she decided she would be the family photographer, a strategic move to avoid ever having to be in front of a camera. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Pearce, and is lovingly remembered by her son James McMellon Pearce II, her daughter Trudy Pearce Chun, daughter-in-law Beth Pearce, son-in-law Russell Chun, niece Laurie Ann Hill, and grandchildren: Brian Pearce, T-Jay Pearce, Marie Pearce, Nicole Pearce, Nikoletta Chun, Levente Chun, Andrea Chun, and Nate Hill. A service will be held on June 26, 2020 at 12:00 PM at Blessing Funeral Home in Mansfield, Texas. A recording of Mary Leis Pearce's Celebration of Life will be viewable here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/SCbG6n7Ep9e