Lillian Lorraine Hill Pierce, born October 6, 1918 was a daughter of Robert Wilson and Beulah Belcher Hill.
She was a resident of Bramwell for most of her life and was a graduate of Bramwell High School in 1936 and from Bluefield Business College in 1938. She was employed by the Appalachian Power Company in Welch and following her marriage to Donald E. Pierce in 1939, she was the City and Court Recorder for the City of Welch. Following Donald's return from Army service in Europe after WWII, the couple moved to Bramwell to the home where she spent the rest of her life. She left the work force to raise her two sons, Donald E. Pierce, Jr. and William James Pierce, but returned to work in the early 1960's for Dr. Walter L. Pierce and Dr. P.P. Ferraraccio in Bluefield, Va. until her retirement in 1983.
She and Donald celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1989.
Mrs. Pierce spent her whole life as an active member of the Elizabeth Bowen Jones Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir for over 50 years, served as President of the United Methodist Women, and served on the Church Board in a variety of capacities. She was honored in 2000 by the West Virginia Conference of United Methodist Women for her 50 years of outstanding service to the mission of the United Methodist Women. ‘Lil' Pierce was well-known locally for spearheading the Church Women's annual production of chocolate peanut butter Easter Eggs for the last 20 years. She was also active in local political and civic life. Mrs. Pierce was elected and served as Bramwell Town Recorder during the 1960's. She served on the County Board of the American Red Cross, served as director of the Bramwell Millionaire 5-mile and Fall 5-K runs. She was also a county committeewoman for the Republican Party.
Mrs. Pierce was preceded in death by her husband in 1991.
She is survived by two sons, Donald E. Pierce and wife, Barbara of Greenvile, S.C., and William James Pierce and wife, Marianne of Greenville; and three sisters, Marie Hill Tabor of Bramwell, Dorothy Hill Edmunds of Huntington, and Lois Hill Dudash of Orlando, Fl.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Elizabeth Bowen Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Bramwell with the Pastor Dick Duncan officiating.
Burial will follow in Emory & Henry College Cemetery in Emory, Va.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 until the service Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Bowen Jones Memorial United Methodist Church of Bramwell or to other local charities.
Arrangements are by Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluefield.
Published in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.