Jo Ann Pearce

Jo Ann Carden Ellis Pearce, age 77, of Hampton, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2012 in the Sycamore Shoals Hospital following a sudden illness. A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Stover and Naomi Ruth Moody Carden. Mrs. Pearce had worked as a cook at Hampton Elementary School. She was a very talented pianist and had a passion for music. Jo Ann enjoyed roller skating and ice skating. She was a member of Hampton First Baptist Church and Hampton Christian Church. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Pearce was preceded in death by her husband, Harry R. Pearce and six brothers, Harry, Clarence, Carl, William, Robert, and Charlie Carden. She is survived by a daughter, Debbie Ellis Howe and husband, Daniel, Kingsport; two sons, James Daniel Ellis, of the home, and Joseph Leslie Pearce and his fiancé, Sherri Lewis, Hampton; three grandchildren, Virginia Naomi Marshall and husband, Dr. Phillip Marshall, Richard Matthew Howe, and Madeline Michelle Howe, all of Kingsport; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her first husband, Lewis Ellis, Johnson City; and special nieces, Bobbie Carolyn, Barbara Sue, Ruth Evelyn, Nancy Lynn, and Priscilla. Several additional nieces and nephews that Jo Ann greatly adored also survive. The funeral service for Mrs. Pearce will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with Mr. Dwayne Calhoun, Minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel prior to the service. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 in the Hall Cemetery in Hampton. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:15 A.M. on Wednesday to travel together in procession. Active pallbearers will be Matthew Howe, Dr. Phillip Marshall, Bert Hale, Fred Howe, Dr. Robert Taylor, Bob McClain, and Tony Deloach. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Cates, Wayne Johnson, Clay Mars, and Harold Presnell. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in-lieu-of flowers to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605-4277, or to the Band Dept. at the Hampton High School, 766 First Ave., Hampton, TN 37658.Read Obituary