BETH JOHANNA PEARCE NELSON age 60 of Independence OH died suddenly from a heart attack on October 8 2015. Her funeral will be held on Sunday October 18 at 2:00 pm at St Pauls Episcopal Church 2747 Fairmount Blvd Cleveland Heights OH 44106. She was predeceased by her parents Harold E. and Helen D. (Rieker) Pearce. She is survived by her husband Richard (Rick) brother Dr. Barry Pearce (Bonnie) cousins and several nieces and nephews. She grew up in Brecksville where she attended Brecksville HS. Beth received the BM degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her MM and DMA degrees were from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. Beth taught music in the public schools of Roberta and Macon GA and Henrietta NY. She taught flute and music courses at Mercer University (Macon) Ashland University and the Cleveland Institute of Music and she also maintained a private flute studio. She directed choirs at Messiah Lutheran Church (Greece NY) Redeemer Lutheran and Christ Church (Macon) and St. Pauls Episcopal (Cleveland Heights). Beth was the founder and director of the Bibb County Institute for the Arts (Macon) for several years. Beth was a flutist and she and Rick played countless recitals together in the southeast before moving to Cleveland in 1996. Although compromised by significant medical challenges for the last decade she was known for her warmth smile and encouragement of young people. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Childrens Choir Fund at St Pauls Episcopal Church 2747 Fairmount Blvd Cleveland Heights OH 44106. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.