October 12, 1926 – May 12, 2021
    Mr. Jerome "Jerry" Dumont Pearce, Sr., age 94, a resident of 210 Simmons Street, Washington, NC died Wednesday May 12, 2021 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

    A memorial service will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday May 29, 2021 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington officiated by Travis Boyd. The service will include military honors.

    The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home and other times at the home.

    Jerome "Jerry" was born October 12, 1926 to William Dumont Pearce and Louise McQueen Lynch, at Duke Hospital in the town of Duke, NC (now Erwin). He retired as Sgt Major in the US Army, after serving 27+ years. He received a good conduct medal (6th Awd), National Defense Service Medal (1st OLC), American Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 60 device, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm. He was in the Artillery 1st Armed Division. His unit was called "Traveling Guns 6/84 Artillery". He served in Vietnam at Phu Bai and Khe, served at Munich, Germany, and in Korea all along the DMZ training South Korean soldiers.

    He was stationed at Forts Bliss, Irwin, Hood, Sill, McPherson, Bragg and taught as a Military Science instructor at ROTC at Davidson College prior to retiring in 1974 and moving to the Winsteadville community of Belhaven where his in-laws lived and began building a home.

    He was a talented cabinet maker and enjoyed making furniture and working with wood. He briefly taught a cabinet making course at BCCC. He was also a surveyor and a machinist. He enjoyed grilling with his special "Jerry's BBQ sauce" recipe. He was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to a variety of music, including classical and country, and enjoyed watching early western movies, as watching movies was NOT how he spent his military career. He was a member of Wanoca Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher and loved singing in the choir. He liked baseball and his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. He and his second wife, Lorenda "Lori" were married a little over 41 years and went camping and traveled most of the United States in their motor home. In later years, they managed a campground at Deep Gap, NC in the Boone area. They also owned and operated the Agape Christian Bookstore in Washington for several years. He loved all his pets, but was especially devoted to his dachshund "Fella", who adored him until the day he died at 14 years old.

    Survivors are his wife, Lorenda "Lori" Miles Pearce of the home; sons, Jerome Pearce, Jr., Rick (Anne) Pearce, David (Georgette) Pearce, Pearce Herndon (Jeannette) and Rob Herndon (Vicki), John Miles and Jeff Miles; grandchildren, Lauren Reynolds, Heather Matheney, Stephanie Holland, Brittany James, Harley Williams, Jeffrey Miles II, Julia Miles, Tess Herndon, Ty Herndon, Reese Herndon, Mary Lou Porch, Nora Sartwell, Abraham Herndon, Nathalie McKay, Mia Bass, and Joseph. Also included are Allen, Michael, Sarah, and Jasmine; great grandchildren, Holly, Cody Luke, Faith, Lilly, Zander, Charlotte, Ezra, Jack Audrey, Makayla, Cameron Williams, Kaden Danielle, Eric Delaney, Taylor, and Cameron Herndon; great great grandchildren, Nyla, Aubry and brother, Kayla, and Hazel Herndon; nephews and nieces, Chris Pearce, Vince Pearce, Ron Smith, Barbara Smith-Bishop, Darren Carriere, Robin Carriere; sister-in-law, Evelyn Smith; great nephews and nieces, Christian Smith-Bishop, Calvin Smith, Ben and Anna Pearce.

    Preceding Jerry in death were his parents, his brothers Pat and Bob, his first wife, Florence and baby daughter, Merri Lou Pearce, Jim Miles and Jay Miles.

    In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Wanoca Presbyterian Church, 921 East 6th Street, Washington, NC 27889.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Pearce family.

Services

Visitation

Saturday, May 29 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Paul Funeral Home & Crematory 900 John Small Ave. Washington, NC 27889

Memorial Service

Saturday, May 29 12:00 PM Paul Funeral Home & Crematory 900 John Small Ave. Washington, NC 27889