IN MEMORIAM Calvin J. Isaac
Roy Joe Moon
Missy Pearce
Alumnus Calvin J. Isaac, the first democratically-elected Tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, died on Jan. 11, 2020, at age 86. He was born on Dec. 5, 1933, in Neshoba County, and lived there most of his life. Isaac graduated from Meridian High School, served in the U.S. Army, and received a bachelor’s degree from DSU in 1958 and a master’s degree in education from Mississippi State University. He was the first Tribal member to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Isaac became chief in 1975 after the Tribe changed its Constitution to begin electing leadership; Isaac served one term and testified before Congress about the Indian Child Welfare Bill. He later was elected to serve on the Tribal Council, representing Pearl River. Isaac also was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Tribal schools and pastor of Canaan Baptist Church. Survivors include son Richard Isaac and daughters Margaret Bell ( Joe) and Sabrina Isaac of Philadelphia; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four sisters.
Alumnus Roy Joe Moon (Dec. 16, 1939– Jan. 6, 2020) died peacefully at home in Houston, Texas, at age 80. Born in the back of his parents’ general store in Boyle, Miss., he attended Boyle High School and graduated from Cleveland High School, participating in Future Farmers of America. Moon attended Mississippi State University and graduated from Delta State with a business degree in 1963. Moving to Houston, he enjoyed a long career in outside sales at Lone Star Beverages and Gerber Products. He made many friends among the shop owners, fellow salesmen, and larger Chinese community in Houston. Moon met his wife of 53 years, Norma Chu Moon, who survives him, on a blind date. He liked to cook and relished a good time. His family still grows Chinese green onions from his father’s Mississippi stock. Other survivors include son Scott Moon of Washington, D.C.; daughter Amy Nongbri (Deven) and children Avery and Cole of Katy, Texas; and six siblings. Moon is preceded in death by siblings Joe Yuen of Cleveland; Hing Yu of Houston; and Sue Wong of Sacramento, Calif.
DSU alumna and longtime employee Melissa Susan Pearce died in her sleep at home surrounded by family on Nov. 5, 2019. Born in 1954, the Alabama native attended Cleveland High School and Mississippi Delta Community College and earned a bachelor of science degree and a master of education degree from DSU. Pearce worked at DSU for 28 years in Student Affairs, the Psychology Department, and the AlumniFoundation, serving as director of annual giving. She volunteered with many academic and community organizations. Pearce enjoyed cooking, doing yardwork with her mama, riding horses, rooting for Alabama football, and traveling with her daughters and grandchildren. Survivors include her mother, Evelyn Stallings Pearce of Cleveland; daughters Jenna Deason Neumann (Erik) of New Orleans, La., and Sarah Deason Aylward (Brig) of Cleveland; three grandchildren; and brother Charles Alfred “Booley” Pearce (Becky) of Brandon, Miss., among others. Pearce gave the gift of life to Renee Gibson LaMastus (Mack), who has two children, Mary Madeline and Gibson.
• Adding student-athlete services • Enhancing athletics facilities • Providing championship rings & other recognition • Upgrading travel • Increasing recruitment • Offering staff professional development & leadership training 30 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2020
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