Jonnye Kathryn Pence

Jonnye Kathryn Dearing Pence September 3, 1923 – January 19, 2007 Jonnye Kathryn Dearing Pence, 83, departed this life peacefully Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at Providence Hospital in Waco, TX. Services will be at 1:30 pm, Monday, Jan. 22nd at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm, Sunday, Jan. 21st at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. Mrs. Pence was born Sept. 3, 1923 in Leander, TX, to Kathryn Angeline Warren and Harry Leonard Dearing. She graduated from Austin High School in Austin, TX in 1941. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, but left school after two years to work full time. While working at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, she met a young aviator in training, Fredrick Norris Pence. They were married Sept. 24, 1946. He remained her loving, devoted, loyal husband and best friend until his death on Jan. 9, 2002. After her husband left active duty in the Air Force in 1946, Jonnye worked while Fred attended Morris Harvey University in Charleston, W. VA., and Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, IL. After Dr. Pence graduated from optometric school, the young couple moved to South Charleston, W. VA. to open their first optometric office. They moved to Waco, TX in 1953. Fred and Jonnye were blessed with three lovely daughters, Janet, Debbie, and Lisa. Jonnye concentrated her activities around those of her family. Throughout the years, she was active in her daughters' school PTA's, Waco City Council of PTA's, Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls, and all other aspects of her daughters' busy lives. When all her daughters had graduated from high school, Jonnye earned her Associate Degree and was licensed as a real estate broker. She worked as a realtor for the Charles Patterson Agency and The Carriage Company. When Dr. Pence opened the Pence Vision Center at 1529 Wooded Acres, she assisted him in running the practice. As the years progressed, Jonnye concentrated more and more on her six grandchildren's activities. A devoted grandmother, she was never happier than when she was cheering at a sporting event, applauding at a recital, or wading through a house full of company during holidays and weekend get-togethers. Mrs. Pence was a member of the Potpourri Study Club and the Austin Avenue United Methodist Garden Club. She was a member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church and attended Bible study there. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by two brothers and one sister, Harry Leonard Dearing of Pflugerville, TX, Donald Dearing of Austin, TX, and Nancy Lann of Cedar Park, TX. She is also survived by three daughters and their husbands, Janet Hopkins and husband, Dennis, of Georgetown, TX, Debbie Luce and husband, Derrel, of Waco, TX, and Lisa Cook and husband, Baron, of Wylie, TX; and grandchildren, Kristin Dillard and husband, Brannon, of Houston, TX, Justin Hopkins of Waco, TX, Brandon Luce and wife, Whitney, of Dallas, TX, Barrett Luce of Dallas, TX, Catherine and Caroline Cook of Wylie, TX. Jonnye will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was and is especially adored by her daughters and grandchildren who were the light of her life. Gran, as her grandchildren called her, loved for her family to gather on all special occasions. The gatherings were so large that the group was collectively called The Gang. Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law and grandsons, Derrel Luce, Dennis Hopkins, Baron Cook, Brandon and Barrett Luce, and Justin Hopkins. Honorary pallbearers will be the ladies of the Potpourri Study Club and the Austin Avenue United Methodist Church Garden Club. Memorials may be made to the Waco ISD Education Foundation, PO Box 2369, Waco, TX 76703 or to Compassion Ministries, 1421 Austin Ave., Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey