Velda Pearce
June 27, 1937 — July 15, 2014
Velda Yvonne "Vel" Pearce, 77, of Carmi, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 6:03 a.m. at her residence. She was born June 27, 1937 in Shawneetown, Illinois, the daughter of Neal Theodore and Francis (Parker) Bryson. Vel married David Ray "Pud" Pearce on December 30, 1958. She was owner/operator of Nu Hair Salon for 40 years and owner/auctioneer of Pearce Auction Service for 17 years. Vel was a member of the Carmi VFW auxiliary and Grayville Moose auxiliary. In her early years, she was an avid pool player, winning several tournaments. She enjoyed riding motorcycles, crocheting, wearing big costume jewelry and going to Florida in the winter. Vel also loved her dogs.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Pud Pearce of Carmi; a son and daughter-in-law, Nik and Cindy Pearce of Opdyke, IL; six grandchildren, Preschas Mattingly of Eldorado, Cassandra McHaney of St. Charles, MO, Kameron Pearce of McLeansboro, Kady Edwards of Benton, Christopher Volk of Tampa, FL and Brittany Banks of Opdyke; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Hewitt of Harrisburg and Berneda Young of Wittman, AZ; two brothers, Emile Bryson of Jacksonville, IL and James Bryson and wife Geneva of Tamarac, FL.
Vel was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Baldwin, Rita Carmen and Rae Wolfal and two brothers, Tommy and Neal Bryson.
Funeral Services for Vel Pearce, 77, of Carmi will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with George Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Big Prairie Cemetery near Carmi. Friends may call at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi on Saturday after 9:00 a.m.