Mr. Frank "Frank-Daddy Pierce of Caruthersville, Missouri was born May 21, 1927 in Micola, Missouri. He passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at the Dyersburg Regional Medical Center. He was 87 years, 10 months and 15 days of age.
He was the son of the late John and Ethel Smith Pierce. On July 19, 1952, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Bonita Driskill Pierce. They enjoyed 56 wonderful years together before her passing. Frank-Daddy was a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather. He had many friends and relatives and he was loved by each and every one.
In 1945, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corp., where he served for two years during World War II. After his honorable discharge as a Marine, he continued to serve his country by enlisting into the United States Army, where he served as a drill instructor and an infantry soldier during the Korean War.
Afterwards, he worked for 28 years at Brown Shoe Factory as a sole layer and was president of the union for many years. After his retirement, he worked several different places including dispatching for the Caruthersville Police Department.
First and foremost was his love for his family. In his early years, he was an avid squirrel hunter and fisherman. He continued to fish until his health no longer allowed him to do so. Everyone knew where to find him, at Frank-Daddy's Corner on 6th and Grand where he could always be found as long as the weather allowed, sitting in the swing under the big tree in his front yard, waving at everyone who passed. He loved people and rarely met a stranger.
He leaves to cherish his beautiful memory, his four daughters, Frankie and husband Tommy Stewart of Caruthersville, Renita "Sissy" and husband Carless Phelps of Caruthersville, Billie and husband Kenny Carter of Wichita, Kansas and Lisa and her husband Mark Zucconi of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His sisters, Laverne Carter of Caruthersville and Shelby Wray of Tacoma, Washington and two brothers, Harold Pierce of Potosi, Missouri and Jerry Pierce of San Antonio, Texas. 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, many other relatives and an unaccountable number of friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonita Driskill Pierce, his son, Danny William Pierce and 12 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 8 at 1 p.m. at the Caruthersville Wesleyan Church with full Military Honors. Pastor Kenny Lee was the officiant over the burial at Little Prairie Cemetery, Pallbearers were Chuck Cain, Joel Carter, Jerry "Scooter" Johnson III, Larry Thrasher, Randall Waldrop and Len Welsh.
Democrat Argus - Caruthersville, Missouri - Wednesday, May 6, 2015