Joe Edd Pearce

Joe Edd Pearce, 87, of Columbus, Georgia, died Monday, December 28, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital. Joe was born on October 11, 1922 in Salado, Arkansas to the late Norman and Beulah Jane Pearce. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years Billie Jean Engles Pearce; brother Fred Pearce; and sister Norma Lee Henderson.Joe joined the Army during World War II and was stationed in France and Germany. He also was a member of the armed forces during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired with 26 years of service. In 1959, while stationed in Pirmasens, Germany he joined the Masons and recently received a 50 year certificate. True to his rural background he was an avid gardener, planting small gardens at military installations all around the world. He had a life-long love of sports, especially baseball and the Atlanta Braves. Many hours of conversation were held with his family about the relative merits of that year's team.He is survived by son, Roger Pearce and wife Judy of Columbus, Georgia; son Stephen Pearce and wife Jan of Fayetteville, Georgia; grandchildren Kathryn Pearce of Arlington, Virginia; Elizabeth Pearce of Milledgeville, Georgia; Joseph Pearce of Milledgeville, Georgia; sister Betty Galloway of Salado, Arkansas; brother Max Pearce and sister-in-law, Louise of Batesville, Arkansas; and sister Pat Taylor of Batesville, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.Funeral Services will be held at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel, Batesville, Arkansas on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:00P.M. Burial will follow in the Egner Cemetery located at Salado, Arkansas with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service.Visitation will begin Thursday, December 31, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Church of God, P.O. Box 4157, Columbia, SC 29240; Atlanta Braves Community Foundation, P.O. Box 4064, Atlanta, GA 30302-4064; or the charity of one's choice.