Betty McCoy Pearce

Betty McCoy Pearce, wife of the late Dr. Francis Marion Pearce, Jr., passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2006, after courageously battling multiple health issues. Betty was born October 14, 1929, in Lincoln, Nebraska to J. Hamilton and Raye Baldwin McCoy. Her father was a professor of foreign languages, and her mother was a homemaker, teacher, and musician. Betty attended elementary school in Danville, Kentucky, middle school in Marshall, Missouri, and high school at Alamo Heights in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated with honors from high school in Fulton, Missouri. During her high school years she participated in Glee Club, Art Club, High School Yearbook, Student Government and Debate. Betty began college life at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, on a full academic scholarship. She was an accomplished equestrian, receiving the coveted first place at the college’s year-end horse show. She was an outstanding student, a talented pianist, and gifted artist. In 1948, Betty transferred to Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She was a member of the A Capella Choir, president of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Who’s Who in American Colleges, Cardinal Key, Intra-fraternity Council, Student Senate, and Editor of the Southwestern Magazine. She received her BA degree in Art, in 1952. Following graduation, Betty received one of the top secretarial positions at the University of Texas Development Board. In 1956, she married her first husband, Captain Alfred Victor Chapin, Jr. The happy couple gave birth to daughter, Erin, in 1958. Tragically six weeks later, Betty lost her husband during a U-2 reconnaissance mission. As a widow, she returned to work with a good position at Merrill Lynch. In 1963, she went to work for Lamar Savings as a Branch Manager, and later, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President. She was active in civic and business groups, and served on the Board of Governors of the American Savings and Loan Institute. She was a charter member of the Savings Institutions Marketing Society of America. A long-time friend of the bank introduced Betty to Dr. Frank Pearce, an established physician in the Austin community. Frank, a widower, himself, had three children, Sarah, Stephen and John. Betty and Frank fell deeply in love and married in 1968. In 1973, Betty gave birth to David, the newest addition to the Pearce family. She focused her talents and interests on making a loving home for her new family. She was a devoted wife and homemaker, an active member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and choir, and always a gracious hostess for many charitable events. In the midst of her busy life, she also found time to pursue her love of ballroom dancing, winning many national competitions. Betty loved to be involved in her children’s activities, energetically supporting their achievements. She shared her immense artistic talent with her family, designing and drawing Christmas cards, invitations, and portraits. She had a wonderfully subtle, witty, and intelligent sense of humor. Whether in her younger, middle or golden years of life, Betty exuded strength and courage beyond imagination. Her family marveled at her perseverance in later years to not only care for her beloved husband, but to address life’s challenges; accomplishing much, complaining little. She exhibited a positive attitude and led by example, and there was never a need of her own greater than the needs of others. “I don’t know what our next years will bring,” Betty reflected, “but we have had a full life, and we are thankful for it---all will not be forgotten.” Betty McCoy Pearce was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Francis Marion Pearce, Jr.; her parents, J. Hamilton McCoy and Raye Baldwin McCoy; her first husband, Alfred Victor Chapin, Jr.; and her daughter, Sarah Jane Copeland. She is survived by her sons, Stephen Pearce MD and his wife Carole; John Pearce MD and his wife, Carol; David Pearce and his wife, Teresa, all of Austin; her daughter Erin Weber and her husband, Sidney, of New Braunfels; her sister, Mary McCoy Allen and her husband, William, of Boca Raton, Florida; her grandchildren, Sam, Jeff, and Rebecca Copeland of Victoria; Jonathan, Taylor, Lauren, Stephen, Elizabeth, Catherine and Riley Pearce of Austin; Frances and John Onion of New Braunfels. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A private family graveside burial will be held at Austin Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Manor Chapel, 4100 Jackson Avenue at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2006. Friends and family are invited to gather for a reception immediately following in the Westminster Manor Solarium. Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hand Home for Children, 3804 Avenue B, Austin, Texas 78751. Obituary and guestbook available online at wcfish.com