Dorothy Wilkerson Pearce

Dorothy Pearce

Hickory Grove - Dorothy Wilkerson Gaddy Pearce, 94, passed away peacefully on June 8 at Westminister Towers in Rock Hill. She was the daughter of John Smith and Elma Merritt Wilkerson. She graduated from Hickory Grove High School and attended Winthrop College.

Dot and her husband John Lee Gaddy owned and operated Wilkerson Supply Co. and J. L. Gaddy Wholesale in Hickory Grove. She was a life-long member of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church where she was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Fellowship Class and the choir. The fall church bazaar held a special place in her heart. She liked to say that she didn’t have any talents but she had a gift for convincing other family members and friends to get involved.

In addition to her parents, Dot was predeceased by her husband John L. Gaddy and her second husband Holton Pearce. She was one of eight children. She was predeceased by her 4 sisters: Nanelle Castles, Carmen Anderson, Johnsie Moore & Ruth Perry and by her brother, William Wilkerson. She is survived by her two brothers Merritt Wilkerson (Terry Jane) of Rock Hill and John Wilkerson (Sandee) of River Hills.

Dot did not have children of her own but she became a mother to her niece and nephew when they were very young. She is survived by daughter, Sandra Banks (Tommy) of Greenville, and son Bill Wilkerson (Ruth) of Hickory Grove. She is also survived by her stepchildren Dr. Tim Pearce (Brenda) of Beaufort and Gary Pearce of Columbia.

Her grandchildren are Thomas Banks (Olivia), John Banks (Amanda), Leanne Wilkerson Jennings (Douglas), William Wilkerson (Christine), Lauren Pearce Clevenger (Shane), Tyler Holland (Sallie) and Ashley Holland (Charity). Her great grandchildren are Izzy, Boardy, Tommy & Roy Banks, Amelia, Natalie and Eli Holland

The family would like to express their appreciation for her caregivers: Ann Latham, April Sherer, Mae Helen Harris (deceased), Nancy Minter, & Linda Parks and for all of her friends & family who have encouraged, loved and cared for her in so many ways.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 11, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Fellowship Center. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church with Rev. Ed Reynolds and Rev. Larry Hyder officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Bratton Funeral Home is serving the Pearce family.

Memorials can be made to Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 158, Hickory Grove, SC 29717 or Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill SC 29732.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.