Cleo Pearce O'connell

Cleo Marie Pearce O’Connell, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Cleo was born in Franklin County, North Carolina, on November 12, 1926, to Bennie Boddie Pearce and Bertie Kearney Pearce. In July of 1961, she married Robert Patrick O’Connell, a sailor in The United States Navy. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bob, and siblings, Henry Albert Pearce, Ennis Lee Pearce, Mary Elizabeth Pearce, and Elsie Gray Gagnon, as well as her sister-in-law, Anna Margaret Burke.

Cleo was always more concerned with the comfort of those around her than herself. Even as her age advanced, she wanted her loved ones to have the best seat at the table and the biggest portions at meals. As a Navy wife, she always looked on the bright side and made the best out of any situation. She moved her family multiple times during her husband’s naval career, making every city they lived in feel like home. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her friends. Cleo was a skilled bridge player, loved to shop, and spent as much time at the coast as possible. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

Cleo is survived by her two children, Kathleen O’Connell Tapp (Steven) of Durham and Thomas Patrick O’Connell (Elizabeth) of Chapel Hill; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Pearce Tapp Jackson (Jon) of Cedar Grove, Davis Alexander Tapp of Charlotte, Patrick Finnegan and Harper Mae O’Connell of Chapel Hill, and one great-granddaughter, Kearney Elizabeth Jackson of Cedar Grove. Cleo also has several nieces and nephews who she enjoyed keeping up with.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

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