House Resolution 1653
By: Representative Williams of the 148th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Mack Allington Pearce; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Mack Allington Pearce; and
WHEREAS, Mack Allington Pearce was born on July 15, 1935, in Wilcox County, Georgia,
becoming part of a multi-generational family of Georgia farmers; and
WHEREAS, for more than 60 years, he independently farmed the thousands of acres once
maintained by his grandfather, growing and selling millions of pounds of watermelons in
Cordele, Georgia, the "Watermelon Capital of the World"; and
WHEREAS, as a man of deep and abiding faith, he followed Biblical principals in his
farming practices, honoring the Sabbath by not working on Sundays and following a rotation
of planting that allowed his fields to lay fallow every seven years; and
WHEREAS, he received many honors in recognition of his exceptional watermelons and his
dedication to the land he worked and stewarded throughout his life, including King
Watermelon, Sweetest Watermelon, Best Watermelon, and Georgia Soil Conservationist; and
WHEREAS, he further served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the
United States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans from 1957
to 1959 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Mack Allington Pearce was united in love and marriage to his wife, Betty
Willene Pearce, and was blessed with three remarkable children, Kim, Suzette, and Suzanne;
and
WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern
for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his
family and friends were admired by others; and
WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation
for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he
made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mack Allington Pearce will long be
remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
had the great fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mack Allington Pearce and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Mack Allington Pearce.