Vernon LeePierce

Vernon Lee Pierce, 88 of Greenville,  died Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at his home.  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 14, 2010, at Coker-Mathews Chapel, with Randy Daw and Frank Morgan officiating.  Interment will be in Tidwell Cemetery, with full military honors.  Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Pierce was born November 16, 1921, in Greenville, to Johnie Ransom Pierce and Oma Dillinger Pierce.  He was a member of Johnson Street Church of Christ.  He married Ann Cathey on February 13, 1977 in Greenville.

He was a 20 year U. S. Army veteran retiring in 1962 having served in World War II and earning several honors and medals.  After retirement, he worked for LTV/Temco, now L-3 and retired from City of Greenville. 

He is survived by his wife, Anna Pierce of Greenville; children, Michael Lee Pierce and wife, Sarah of Grand Saline, Patty Pierce Bishop and husband, Joe of Campbell, Debbie Pierce Sanders and husband Danny of Greenville, Lynn Cathey of Caddo Mills, Jimmy Cathey and wife, Jeanette of Greenville, Beverly Tarrant of Greenville, and Kay Cathey of Greenville; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; brother, Jimmy Pierce and wife, Carmen of Mesquite; sister, Francis Thompson of Wabash, Indiana; and sisters-in-law, Reba Pierce of Dallas and Pat Pierce of Fort Worth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Evelyn Umbarger Pierce; infant daughter Linda Carol Pierce; brothers William Byron, John Crawford, Larry Mark, Frank and Virdell Pierce.

His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Swindell, R. C. Ottwell, Jack Sprinkle, Steve Price, Farrell Nalls, Benny Porter, Bob Andrews, Leon Fenter, Wendell Shelburn, Bill Darnell and Dr. James Nicholson.