Lawrence Pierce, 85, of Elizabethton, went home to join his family in Heaven on Sunday, February 28, 2016, from Hermitage Health Care Center. Lawrence was born in Elizabethton to the late Joseph H. Pierce Sr. and Creola Oliver Pierce. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond Pierce, Joe Pierce, Earl Pierce and Jack Pierce, and three sisters, Vera, Ivory and Gretchen.
Lawrence retired from Watauga Industries and from Watauga Forestry Services. He was a United States Army veteran and a member of Caldwell Springs Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 62 years, Rada Gaye Bowers Pierce, of the home; his sons, Keith Pierce and Zaney Pierce, both of Elizabethton; his daughters, Debbie Wiseman and husband Mike, Morganton, N.C., and Sandra Vanover, Elizabethton; a grandson, Lucas Pierce, Johnson City; a granddaughter, Jada Vanover, Elizabethton; a sister, Cynthia Ensor, Elizabethton; and a brother, Aaron Pierce, Elizabethton. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A service to honor the life of Lawrence Pierce will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Caldwell Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Roe officiating. Music will be under the direction of the church choir. The family will receive friends at the church between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, or at the residence at anytime. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, in the Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Gail Oliver, Mac Collins, Dan Powers, Tracy Herman, Greg Tester, Pookie Ensor and Henry Ensor. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Thursday. The family would like to express a special thanks to Rev. Gary Roe and Caldwell Springs Church members and friends for their support throughout his illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Pierce family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.