Mary Jo Pearce Vick, born August 26, 1923, entered into rest on September 4, 2020 after a brief stay in a local nursing facility.

Mrs. Vick was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. F.L. Pearce. She taught music and art in the Center Independent School District for 32 years.

Mrs. Vick graduated from Texas Women’s University (previously Texas State College for Women) in Denton, Texas in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. At TSCW she played saxophone and Clarinet in College Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Swing Orchestra, still active at the school, Known as “the Serenades.” In 1956, she received a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with a double major in Music Education.

She was a long-time member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Center Music Study Club, Texas State Teacher’s Association, and Texas Classroom Teachers.

Mrs. Vick served as Historian of Shelby County Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and wrote the song “Shelby County, Heartbeat of East Texas” performed at the celebration. She participated in composer retreat sponsored by the late N.O. Thomas of Shreveport at his facility in Shelby County. In 1987, her song “Welcome Hall,” written in honor of Thomas and the facility, was adapted, and preformed publicly in Center by the Shreveport Symphony.

She was very active in the First United Methodist Church in Center, serving as a Sunday School teacher, adult choir director and Vacation Bible school teacher. She taught crafts and music at the Lakeview Methodist Assembly near Palestine for eleven years. She later served as secretary and treasurer for the Tennessee Methodist Church in the Tennessee Community in Shelby County.

Mrs. Vick served as a host for “Story Hour” and other Activities at the Fannie Brown Booth Library in Center. She was a faithful, dedicated nursing home volunteer in Center for many years and was chosen Adult Volunteer of the Year by the Texas Health Care Association in 2000.
She was loving and supportive of her family, friends and associates in the city, county, and state throughout her life.

Mrs. Vicks is survived by her three sons, Ray Vick of Center, Jack Vick of Beaumont and Frank Vick of Silsbee, five grandchildren, Mary E. Koller, MSN of Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Kenneth D. Vick of Madison, Mississippi, Dr. Bertrand R. Vick of Oakland, California, Jessica Jagneaux, BSN and Katha Everitt, BSN of Silsbee, eleven great-grandchildren, seven great great-grandchildren, and all the residents of Center who were in 3rd through 5th grades there between 1955 and 1988, whom she considered part of her extended family.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. at Mangum Funeral Home with a graveside to follow at 3:00 P.M. at Oaklawn Memorial Park Center, TX.