Remembering an impact
Linda Pearce Thomas left a lasting legacy in the Wilmington area as the founder of Elderhaus, which serves older adults in the Cape Fear region, but the lives she touched goes beyond her professional accomplishments.
While Pearce Thomas established and grew Elderhaus over the course of her 30 years at its helm, what she did behind the scenes had equally significant influence.
“Her impact was such a big impact – the ability to look at a problem, an issue, or a challenge and want to dissect why there is an issue or a challenge not just looking at one side of the issue,” said Dorian Cromartie, who was like an adopted nephew to Pearce Thomas. “She would look at people in favor and people opposed to the issue and listen to both sides – not a lot of people like to do that.”
Pearce Thomas died in late September at the age of 77. In the wake of her passing, community members from across the different groups she worked with shared memories of her work in Wilmington.
Pearce Thomas served as the first African American woman to serve as chair of the University of North Carolina Wilmington Board of Trustees. She served as a university trustee between 2005 and 2013 before being elected as the board’s chair in 2015.
Pearce Thomas, an NAACP member, also worked with a lengthy list of other organizations in the city, including serving on the NHRMC Board of Trustees, New Hanover Regional Medical Center Investigative Review Board, Davis Community Board of Directors, Mount Olive AME Church Trustee Board, Community Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and Wave Board of Directors. A member of Wilmington Rotary, Pearce Thomas also served as chair of MedNorth’s board.
Her outreach also extended outside her front door.
Cromartie credits Pearce Thomas’ Front Porch Pulpit with giving people a voice in the community. She would host members of the community on her front porch or inside her home, depending on the weather, to talk about issues and learn about their cares and concerns.
“My Aunt Linda would say that everyone you see on TV and everybody you don’t see on TV can have a very large impact in and out of Wilmington,” Cromartie said. “If you can get people to understand that everybody can contribute to society in a positive way. Do not write people off because you don’t know who they are.”
Her best friend, Barbara Devane, described Pearce Thomas as a giving person who always ensured that people got what they needed.
“This is what made our world because you never know what someone else needs and what it does for that person, but she was very good at that,” Devane said.
Just as she saw a need in the elderly community for a safe space to go while caregivers were at work in her design for Elderhaus, Pearce Thomas knew how to give people what they needed.
Over the years, especially after Pearce Thomas retired, her involvement was more behind the scenes by mentoring and supporting people and organizations, according to her friend of more than 30 years, Evelyn Adger.
“She was a mover and a shaker and what some would call a gatekeeper. She was a community activist who desired equality for the Black community,” Adger said. “There were no handouts; you had to earn what you wanted. I admired her as a great mentor, leader and friend.”
Devane credited Pearce Thomas’ experience growing up in a segregated school system for her motivation to be the best she could be and for inspiring others to do the same.
“She was a warrior – a mighty, mighty, warrior,” Devane said.
Pearce Thomas’ “heart’s desire,” according to Adger, was to share her years of experience, influence and knowledge with the generations that succeeded her. She described one of her fondest memories of Pearce Thomas when she supported a group of young people who marched and boycotted against a negative article that was published about the first Black female District Court judge.
“She knew that it would be controversial for her at that time, but she supported them by making sure they were heard. This speaks to her wisdom and ability to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters for Black people in New Hanover County,” Adger said.
Friends for 70 years, Devane describes Pearce Thomas as a very passionate pioneer who when she put her mind to something would keep at it until she got what she wanted.
“She touched so many people. Whatever she wanted to do, she tried her best to do it and did it her own way. She would brave the elements,” Devane said.
“Linda Pearce Thomas will truly be missed, but she left some true-life skills in all that crossed her path,” Adger added.
Pearce Thomas’ motto, according to Cromartie was, “You can guide people to a solution, but you can’t force them to the solution. Do your part, help someone out, because that’s what you are supposed to do.”
