Charlotte Allyne Garnett Pearce

February 21, 1925 – December 4, 2014 - Jane was born to Ed and Alma Garnett in Lynn County, Texas.  She was married to the late Melvin Marcus Pearce of O’Donnell, TX on June 10, 1942.  They had six children, five boys and one girl.  Jane was raised in the most humble of circumstances near Draw and O’Donnell, TX.  The next to oldest of ten children, she was required at an early age to take on some of the responsibility for raising her younger siblings.  Her father and mother worked hard to house, feed and clothe their family.  However, it was required of the oldest children to help with the chores and take responsibility at an early age.

After graduating from high school in 1941, she attended Texas Tech University for one year.  She then married Melvin Pearce in 1942.  Soon afterward Melvin enlisted in the U.S. Army, and they were stationed in Bryan, TX.  Jane gave birth to her first child in 1943 followed by a son born in 1945.   After Melvin was discharged from the Army in 1945, they moved back to Dawson County, TX where they scraped out a living as share-croppers.  In 1947 another son was born then in 1952 Jane gave birth to their only daughter.

In 1949 they decided to leave farming and pursue opportunities in the oilfields of southeastern NM.  They lived first in Hobbs, NM then Eunice, NM where another son was born in 1953.  A year later they moved to a small farm in the Nadine, NM community where they lived for the next 35 years.  In 1958 Jane gave birth to their youngest son.

After retirement, Jane and Melvin moved to College Station, TX where they attended A&M Church of Christ, and Jane became involved in jail ministry.  Later after Melvin passed away, Jane moved to Carillon LifeCare Community in Lubbock, TX and attended First Christian Church.

Jane and Melvin became adult leaders with their children in 4-H.  Their kids had numerous projects over the years, most particularly show pigs.  While the kids enjoyed substantial success with their livestock projects, one thing was always clear from Mrs. Pearce, it wasn’t about raising livestock, it was about growing kids.  Through the 4-H projects all six kids had the opportunity to attend college.

For many years Jane worked in retail and substitute teaching.  In 1965 at forty years of age, she decided it was time to continue her education.  She attended Eastern New Mexico University where she earned dual degrees in English and Spanish in 2½ years.  She began teaching both English and Spanish at Heizer Junior High School in Hobbs, NM while continuing her pursuit of a master’s degree at Texas Tech University which she received after two summer sessions.  After receiving her master’s degree, she began teaching at New Mexico Junior College then later became a guidance counselor at NMJC.  It was through her duties as a counselor that Jane realized her true mission in life.

She was an encourager and an educator.  As a teacher she worked with many students and helped them see the potential in their own lives.  As a counselor she had opportunities to work with people who lacked direction in life.  Jane recognized the value of education and the doors education can open to someone who feels trapped by life.  She encouraged countless people to pursue a college degree to qualify them for job opportunities that may have eluded them before.  If the lack of funds to attend college was a problem, she found scholarships through the generosity of local bankers and business men and women.  She conducted classes for young women who needed guidance in advancing themselves in life.  She always believed people could accomplish so much more than they ever thought they could if they were willing to work hard and apply themselves.

Jane valued all people.  She didn’t consider things like race, gender or social standing when working with someone who needed her help.  All she saw was potential, and she felt that she had a responsibility to help that person realize the full extent of their potential.

No one ever doubted the importance of her faith in her life.  She was led by the Holy Spirit in her spiritual walk.  She never wavered.  She loved God with all her heart, with all her soul, with all her mind, and with all her strength, and she loved her neighbor as herself.  She not only professed her faith, she lived her life in such a way that all who knew her could see Christ living in her.  During her life she was an active member of the Taylor Street Church of Christ in Hobbs, NM, A&M Church of Christ in College Station, TX and First Christian Church in Lubbock, TX.  She excelled at school.  Whether at the Redwine School or O’Donnell Schools, Jane was determined to be at the top of her class.  That determination continued when she returned to college later in life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Pearce, a son Thomas Pearce, her father Ed Garnett, her mother Alma Webb Garnett, and her sisters Lavern Tomlinson, Billie Jean Burbank, and Jo Griffith.

Jane is survived by sons Melvin Michael Pearce and his wife Ann of Littleton, CO, Congressman Stevan Pearce and his wife Cynthia of Hobbs, NM, Philip Pearce and his wife Karen of College Station, TX and Gregory Pearce and his wife Nita of Fort Worth, TX and a daughter Tanis Stanfield and her husband Glen of Magnolia, TX.  Also, survived by sisters Venita Garnett of Liberty, MS, Evelyn Chenault of Lubbock, TX, and Wilma O’Briant of Wichita Falls, TX and brothers Edwin Garnett of Vernon, TX, Donald Garnett of Lubbock, TX and Dennis Garnett of Lubbock, TX.  She is survived as well by eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Celebration memorial services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2014 at First Christian Church.

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