Mary Louise Penton Pearce

Mary Louise Penton Pearce, 96, passed away September 29, 2026, in Fayetteville NC. Born on November 20, 1929 to Jesse Eugene and Agnes Gertrude (Barber) Penton in Picayune, MS. Mary grew up in Gautier, MS under the guidance of her aunt and uncle, Molly and Marby Penton. She graduated in 1949 from Perkinston Jr. College, Perkinston, MS. She went on to work for the Dept. of Defense at various base locations, including Biloxi and Gulfport, MS, Iceland, Ohio, North Carolina, Turkey, and Germany. She returned to Fayetteville and retired.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and one sister. Survivors include her children: Janel Manning (Asa), Sandy Arrufat (Fernando) and Jenny Proctor; grandchildren, Matthew Manning (Jillian), Sarah McRoberts (Drew), Veronica Helmick (Matt) and Aaron Proctor; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Hunter, Charlotte Manning and Riley Helmick.

No funeral services are planned. Mary is donating her body to Duke University Anatomical Gift Program with Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service and Crematory providing transportation.