Martha V. Pearce

Martha Val Pearce (Barnhart), 88, born on April 25, 1938, in Denton, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones May 17, 2026, in Fullerton, California. Martha's life was a tapestry of love, creativity, and exploration.

From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, she was the only child of Valton and Mildred Barnhart, a farmer/cattleman and a homemaker. During high school, she met and married her soulmate Donald Wayne Pearce, who, shortly after they married, joined the

Army. As a young wife and military spouse, early on she showed strength, independence, and resilience beyond her years. Together they shared a devoted marriage of 60 years, marked by adventures as a military family traveling the country and the world, marked by moving eleven times in the first 11 years of marriage, to entrepreneur business owners later in life.

Martha was a multifaceted woman and did many different things in her life: Dental assistant, Red Cross volunteer, Braun's Ice Cream store manager, member of the Garden Club, and much, much more. Martha's passions became her purpose. With a deep love for

flowers and collectibles, she opened and ran three florist/collectible stores for many years. Through these ventures she brought beauty and joy to many lives white fulfilling her

entrepreneuriaI and creative spirit.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, Martha held her family close to her heart. She is survived by her son Jerry Pearce; Daughter Donna Williams; Daughter-in-

law Ann Pearce; Son-in-law David Williams; Grandchildren Kyle Pearce, Brittany Engel, and Taylor Engel (Janelle) and great- grandchildren; Gianna (8), Luke (7), Chiara (5), Leah

(4),andJames(1 1/2). She was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, Donald Wayne Pearce and her parents Valton and Mildred Barnhart.

Martha's vibrant personality shone through her hobbies. She adored animals--especially dogs--and she loved and cared for ten of them over her lifetime. Her green thumb flourished in gardening, alongside a passion for other creative outlets like painting and

collecting. She was an avid collector of dog themed figurines and artwork, as well as other types of collectibles. She loved Christmas and had an extensive collection of holiday themed collectibles and decorations. She loved playing games and enjoyed her afternoon

sessions of Bingo and Mexican Train. Ever curious, she embraced learning new skills later in life, like playing the keyboard.

She was proud. She was tough. She was one-of-a-kind. Although later in life her health would often knock her down, she took it all in stride and managed each time to get the strength and fortitude to get up and keep moving. She had a bucket list of things that she

wanted to accomplish in her life, and she recently crossed off another one by taking a long desired cruise to Mexico. She had a wonderful time.

After Donald's passing, Martha had the courage to pack up and move to California to be closer to Jerry and his family. For the last 12 years, she resided at Capriana in Brea, where she cherished many friendships that enriched this chapter of her life. When it came to Martha, there was one thing for certain, it did not matter how long she lived in California, she was forever a Texan. She never hesitated if given the chance, to tell you that everything was still "better in Texas."

Martha leaves behind a legacy of love--of her family, all of nature's beauty, and of her fourtegged friends. She had boundless strength, love, and resilience, which inspired all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those whose lives she touched.

We love you and we will miss you, Martha. Until we meet again.