Evelyn Joyce Pearce of Escalon, born June 20, 1936, passed peacefully on April 13, 2025.
She was born in Quail, Texas in 1936 to Lee and Lola Terry. Shortly after her birth, she moved with her family to Sunset, Arkansas. Her brothers and sisters enjoyed their time exploring the fields as well as working at the family gas station.
Joyce met the love of her life, Jonathan Rayford Pearce in 1957 while working at her parents’ gas station in Waveland, Arkansas. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married two years later on September 27, 1959 in Havana, Arkansas and eventually settled in Escalon. California.
Joyce and Jonathan couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Their children Deborah Pearce (Hawkins), Greg Pearce, Crystal Pearce (Wendland), Teresa Pearce (Kennedy) and Jeff Pearce changed their world in all the best ways.
Though she loved gardening, traveling, and her church, Joyce’s favorite role was that as a grandparent. She treasured her time with her 15 grandkids and had the special pleasure of being a great grandmother to 10.
Joyce will always be remembered for her love of Christ and the way that she shared that with others. We couldn’t have asked for a better sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, and will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.
Joyce was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Oleta Billie, Betty and her brother Weldon as well as her daughters Deborah and Crystal and is survived by her husband Jon, her sons Jeff and Greg as well as her daughter Teresa. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren survive her as well.
The service will be at Orangeburg Avenue Baptist Church, 313 E. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto on Monday, April 21 at 11 a.m., private burial service will be at a later date for family. Please join us after the Monday service for a lunch reception in her hometown of Escalon. Location to be posted at the service.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
April 16, 2025
