ALERT - Rupert Lee Pearce, 77, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at Franklin Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 2, at Mountain Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Wallace officiating. Interment followed in Lancaster Memorial Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rupert O. and Lillian Frazier Pearce; sister, Ruby Shearin; brothers, Matthew and William Pearce.

Surviving: wife, Joyce S. Pearce; daughter, Kelly  P. (Ed) Moore of Youngsville; sons, Harry Lee (Rose) Pearce of Louisburg, Scott (Cathy) Pearce of Winterville; sisters, Ruth Jones of Angier, Jean Pearce of Zebulon and Dorothy Eisenson of Littleton; brothers, Russell Pearce of Waldron, Ind., James Pearce of Homestead, Fla., Kenneth Pearce of Zebulon and Howard Pearce of Hilliard, Fla.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to Mountain Grove Baptist Church, c/o Susan Hale, 937 Alert Road, Warrenton, NC 27589.

Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.

The flag in front of the funeral home was flown at half-staff in honor of his service to his country in the U.S. Army.