James Henry Pierce

James Henry (Jim) Pierce was born in Newton, Mississippi to Bonnie and Betty Chapman Pierce. He passed away peacefully in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he went to live with his daughters in 2021. As he requested, he will have a graveside funeral at the Masonic Cemetery in Newton with Pastor David Jay officiating. It will be held on August 1 at 11AM. From age 12, he knew he wanted to be a carpenter. He felt called and was proud to have the same trade as Jesus. He built homes, barns, cabins--just about any kind of structure--and could do so from the foundation to the tip of a chimney. He loved making cabinets most of all and at his peak also designed and made desks and other furniture if people had a special need. Many of the homes and structures he built are still standing today. He also trained many a young man in the trade, several who went on to have their own carpentry or construction businesses. In his last years he often dreamed in his sleep about building things. He continued in Pittsburgh to make bird houses on his daughter Evelyn's front porch. He was generous to friends and strangers and believed in being a servant of the Lord. From ~1972-1993, he served as a deacon at Liberty Baptist Church where he also was youth leader for the boys and young men. Then, from 1994 until his stroke in 2013, he served as a deacon at Newton Presbyterian Church. Jim adored his "red-headed wife" Brenda Roebuck Pierce for 54 years until her death in 2012. He also is preceded in death by his parents, sister Jane Gressett and sister Sarah Buntin. He is survived by his daughters Evelyn Pierce of Pittsburgh, PA and Jimmie Lyn Weston (Terry) of Verona, PA; his grandson Del Harrison of Missouri; his step-grandson Zach Weston of Verona, PA; his sister Carolyn Burnett (Johnny) of Stone Mountain, GA; his brother Bradley Pierce (Sue) of Newton; his sister Susan Pierce of Laurel, MS; and his brother William Pierce (Gail) of Newton, along with nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews. Jim loved his hunting dogs and enjoyed listening to them run more than he enjoyed killing their prey. He raised and hunted blue tick and red bone coon hounds and fox hounds and in his last months often talked about Sally, Rufe, and--his all-time favorite--Pearl. The family thanks the amazing doctors; nurses; aides; physical therapists; occupational therapists; speech therapists; custodians; and administrators at the East End Health and Rehab Center who gave him (and his daughters) such fine care, inspiration, and love throughout his last months. The family also thanks the hospice staff at Grane Hospice who enabled him to have a painless passing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate a Bible through The Gideons International and visit an elderly person, especially someone who may live alone.

James Henry Pierce

April 14, 1938 - July 24, 2024