Dr. Marcellus Pearce

Dr. Marcellus Malcolm Pearce, Sr., 78, was born August 22, 1931 in Carthage, TX to Steve William and Minnie Lee Baugh Pearce and departed this life on July 25, 2010 less than one month shy of his 79th birthday, in the presence of his children and grandchildren who had the honor and privilege of caring for him in his final days. A son of the American Revolution, Marcellus directly descended from a long line of Pearces. His great uncle, Benjamin W. Pearce, served as Louisiana's lieutenant governor during the Civil War. Marcellus was the youngest of four children. After graduating from Carthage High School he attended Texas A&M University as a member of the Corp for four years and lettered in band. He graduated from A&M with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. Following graduation he received a commission in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. After serving two years active duty he spent four years in the Army Reserves. Marcellus worked for Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation for four years. During this time he attended Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana for one year. Although he began his education in a two room classroom, his academic excellence propelled him to one of the top dental schools. In 1965, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Following graduation he opened his private dental practice in Shreveport. Marcellus practiced dentistry for thirty-five years before retiring. Always eager to learn, he also earned a Masters Degree in Pastoral Care from Loyola University. Ironically, it was his devotion to dentistry that ultimately caused his death. After years of working with dental products, which unbeknownst to him contained asbestos, Marcellus contracted asbestos cancer (mesothelioma). Marcellus was the father of four children, for whom he wanted the best. He instilled the value of an education in each of them. One of his favorite sayings was, "get an education, it beats working for a living.” Marcellus lived this saying because he loved dentistry and never considered it work. Marcellus especially enjoyed dragging his children, nieces and nephews across the water for endless hours of summer fun on Cross Lake, loading the family car for camping adventures in Arkansas, and snow skiing in New Mexico. Marcellus was an active member of the Louisiana and American Dental Associations and served on the visiting medical staff of Christus Schumpert Medical Center and Louisiana State University Health Medical Center. Some of his community activities included being a member of the committee that developed the Broadmoor Baptist Church’s Kindergarten program; he was a board member and board president of Family Counseling and Children’s Services and Centenary College board member. He was a member of the Carthage, TX Masonic Lodge, the El Karubah Shrine Temple and the Legion of Honor. For many years he donated his professional services to the Daughters of the Cross and the Volunteers of America. He was a life member of the NRA and also a member of the Paw Paw Hunting Club. He also enjoyed deer hunting and duck hunting trips with friends. In retirement, he traveled to many places in the United States and Europe. Marcellus is preceded in death by his parents, Steve William Pearce and Minnie Lee (Baugh) Pearce. He is survived by his four children, Marcellus Malcolm Pearce, Jr., M.D. of Round Rock, TX; Joel Lea Pearce, Attorney at Law, his wife Karen (Kinberger) of Shreveport; Allen Roy Pearce, M.D and his wife Katherine (Farries) of Baton Rouge, and his daughter Ann Shalon Pearce of Shreveport. Marcellus has eight grandchildren Benjamin, Bethany, Samuel, Daniel and Lindy of Shreveport, and Adam, Duncan and Julia of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by his siblings Steve William Pearce of Hendersonville, TN, Elsie Larue (Pearce) Mays (Edd Patillo) of Hendersonville, TN and Truman Lee Pearce (Joy) of College Station, TX. He has three nieces and two nephews. Marcellus is also survived by Lindaree Ledbetter Pearce, his friend and the mother of his four children. He is also survived by his former wife Mary G. Pearce. Private burial was in the family cemetery on the family homestead near Carthage, TX under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank the staff of Odyssey Healthcare, especially his nurses Sarah and Selita for their care and treatment during his illness. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society in support of Mesothelioma research, Odyssey Healthcare of Shreveport or a charity of your choice.

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Dr. Marcellus Pearce

August 20, 1931 - July 25, 2010