Joe Pierce
73, Columbia
A man who gave his life to Jesus and kept that promise — Joe Pierce of Columbia, Mississippi, did “cross old Jordan” peacefully, surrounded by his loving children on June 25, 2023, in Lakeland, Fla.
A funeral service in remembrance of his life will be held on July 25, 2023, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Columbia, where he was an essential member for decades.
Samuel Joe Pierce was born December 6, 1949, in Marion County to his father Toxie Q. Pierce, a venerated World War II veteran and fervent Pearl River fisher, and his mother Bobbie Littleton Pierce, who was a beloved saint. He spent the majority of his childhood growing up in Pensacola, Fla.
People who knew him best remember his brilliant mind. After graduating from Columbia High School in 1967, he became the first member of his family to attend college, serving as the president of the student body at Pearl River Community College before graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in accounting. Joe was forever a fan of the Ole Miss Rebels.
He began his career as a CPA in Florida, then settled in Edinburg, Texas, with his family. Years later, he returned to his hometown of Columbia, where he found a community in the First United Methodist Church. He led the Marion County Food Pantry for many years and cared deeply for the less fortunate in his town.
Joe’s meticulous nature was a source of his success. Open his Bible and countless notes would fall out that he accumulated over a lifetime of drawing closer to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If he had one regret, it’s that he was never a contestant on the show “Jeopardy!” because he always knew just about every answer, as friends and family would attest.
An established brainiac with MacGyver-like tendencies, who loved cats and poker — Joe, you were loved, and you will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his younger brother, Billy “Rabbit” Pierce, whom he called his best friend.
Survivors include his daughters, Kelly Hill (Mark) and Meredith Mills (Tim); son, Adam Pierce; grandchildren, Maddie, Abe, Ben (Kelly), Naomi, Colin, Jeremiah and Eric (Meredith); great-grandchildren, Ada Jane and Sam (Maddie) — all of Winter Haven, Fla.; nephew, William Pierce of Los Angeles, Calif.; and niece, Grace Ann Pierce Grant (Zachary) of Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Marion County Food Pantry at 424 Bullis St., Columbia, MS 39429.
