Born near Parkton, NC, in 1939, as the 10th child of Lonnie Ervin and Mary Regan Pearce, Benny and his family, soon after his birth, moved to Saint Pauls, NC, where he attended school. He became a letter recipient playing on outstanding high school football, basketball, and baseball teams. Always an admirer of his many talented teammates, he was equally impressed with those he played against to include such notable and gifted players as Roman Gabriel, Junior Edge, Calvin Koonce, Earl "Moose" Butler, and Wayne Edwards. All of these named opponents played professional sports.

Benny Morris Pearce, 83, of Eastover passed away peacefully on Monday, July 17, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.

Pearce was the Athletic Director for Cumberland County Schools for over 20 years and was named to the NC Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 1998.  He was also named as one of "100 to Remember" by the NC High School Athletic Association in 2013, commemorating 100 years since the organization was formed in 1913. Among his many awards was the Order of the Long Leaf Pine presented by NC Governor Perdue in 2010. Along with his many athletic abilities, he was equally blessed with academic ability. Pearce turned down several offers for athletic scholarships (Appalachian State, Louisburg Junior College, Presbyterian Junior College, and the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding) to enroll on a partial academic scholarship at NC State University, where he received his B. S. degree in Mathematics Education. Friends and relatives also contributed financially to assist him in getting his education, otherwise he, because of finances, would not have been able to obtain his post-secondary degree.  He also earned Masters and Professional (6th Year) degrees in Educational Administration from East Carolina University. Pearce started his educational career at Massey Hill High School where he served as teacher, assistant principal, and principal during his 8 years there and prior to his move to the Cumberland County Schools Central Office in 1971. He completed his 34-year tenure with the Cumberland County Schools as an Assistant Superintendent in 1996. He also served at Campbell and Methodist Universities after his retirement from the Cumberland County school system.

In the community, one of Benny's proudest moments came when the Progress Eastover Committee, of which he was a member, obtained through the NC Legislature, the incorporation of the Town of Eastover, N. C.

Pearce was very active in his church, First Presbyterian of Fayetteville, where he was a Ruling Elder and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was commissioned as a Lay Preacher by Coastal Carolina Presbytery, and preached in over 30 churches located in Coastal Carolina Presbytery.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 11:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park. The Family will receive friends at the Church on Thursday from 10-11:30 AM.

Other than his parents, Pearce was pre-deceased by seven of his siblings:  Norman, Mildred, Clara Pearce Edge, Eunice Pearce Ireland, Juanita Pearce Musselwhite, Alma Catherine, and Lucy Evelyn.

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Joann Hocutt Pearce, his son Brian, and his daughter Kimberly Pearce Hall (Kevin)  and three grandsons, Cameron Hall, Noah Hall, and Bryson Hall, as well as his brother, William "Buddy" Pearce of Saint Pauls and sister, Commander Doris Pearce, USN Ret., of Fayetteville.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 or Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc., P.O. Box 1811 Dunn, NC 28335.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

First Presbyterian Church
102 Ann St., Fayetteville NC 28301
Tel: 1-910-483-0121
Web: http://www.firstprez.com

Averasboro Battlefield Commission, INC.
P.O. Box 1811, Dunn NC 28335