Katherine O. Pearce

Mary Katherine Ogle “Kay” Pearce, 87, of Signal Mountain, TN, passed away, October 22, 2016. Kay was born in Sewanee, TN, and lived her first 14 years in Sherwood, TN, before moving to Chattanooga, Knoxville, and finally Signal Mountain in 1945. A devoted wife and mother to 4 children, Kay loved her family and friends, wildflowers, travel, church, and community. She graduated from Central High School in 1947 and earned a BBA degree from the University of Chattanooga in 1951, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Kay was employed by Provident Insurance Company for six years in the Group Department. Kay was a former member of Centenary Methodist Church. In 1957, she was a founding member of Signal Crest United Methodist Church and formerly held church offices of Trustee, Chairwoman of the Alter Guild, and Sunday School teacher. She was a past President of the United Methodist Women of the church. She was past President of the Signal Mountain Community Guild and, in 1979, was selected as Signal Mountain Woman of the Year for the Guild. Kay was an active member in Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Elmo Ogle and Mary Katherine Uffelman Ogle, and her husband of 58 years, Paul Swink Pearce, Jr., all of Signal Mountain. Survivors are her sons Alan (Abbye) Pearce, of Chattanooga TN, and John ( Lori) Pearce of Brentwood, TN: Daughter Mary Lynn (Rick) Goins of Cypress, TX and son Lee (Anne Hayes) Pearce of Alexandria, VA: 9 grandchildren: Brian (Lauren) Pearce of Chattanooga, TN and Lindsay Pearce of Knoxville, TN; Erin Pearce, Kate Pearce and Ben Pearce of Brentwood, TN; Will Goins and Kathleen Goins of Cypress, TX; Peyson Pearce and Mary Evelyn Pearce of Alexandria, VA. The family would like to thank long time caregivers Charlotte Ballew, Meagan Morgan and Crystal Marcus for their devoted service and care for Kay for the last 5 years of her life. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 28, from 3 pm to 7 pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel on Highway 153 in Hixson. The funeral service will be at 1 pm Saturday, October 29, at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, Signal Mountain, TN, with Reverend Rowland Buck and Reverend Elizabeth Sullivan officiating. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Ave. Signal Mountain, TN 37377. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN.