Carolyn L. Pearce

Bartow - Carolyn Pearce, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 8th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Pearce, daughter Linda Pearce, sister Phylis Yoder and brother Darryl Cheek. She is survived by her children Bruce Pearce, wife Marilyn and Elaine Pearce-Zuehsldorf, husband Paul and her grandsons William Pearce and Barrett Sathianathan. Carolyn was born May 6, 1927 in Hammond, IN to parents Earl and Essie Cheek. She enjoyed music and was gifted with a beautiful voice. During her high school years, she sang in a trio, and performed on the radio in Chicago. As an adult she shared her musical gift singing in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Bartow and in local musicals put on by the Bartow Performing Arts Council. As a young adult, she worked as a secretary for Swift and Company in Chicago where she met her husband. They were transferred to Bartow in 1959. Armed with exceptional secretarial skills, including shorthand, she worked as a secretary for Bartow Lawyer, Marshal Edwards followed by a secretarial position with the Florida Department of Transportation. After her daughters Elaine and Linda were born, Carolyn decided to attain a degree in Education with a Master’s Degree in Reading from the University of South Florida. She was devoted to teaching children how to read. Nothing excited her more than to see a child make the connection in sounding out words and begin their own journey into the world. Carolyn spearheaded the creation of Bookworm Days in Polk County, inviting authors of children’s books to visit their school and encouraging children to dress up as their favorite character. She was a past member of the International Reading Association; Florida Reading Association, Polk Education Association, National Education Association and Past President of the Polk Reading Council. In her desire to help others teach children, she co-authored “180 Days of Boardwork”, an elementary teachers curriculum guide written with her dear friend, Flora Erskine. Carolyn spent her retirement years, selling her book, traveling, and enjoying her grandchildren.Funeral arrangements are being handled by Whidden-Mclean Funeral Home in Bartow. A family memorial graveside service will be held at Wildwood Cemetery Thursday September 14th at 4:30pm.