Virginia Jean Pierce

Virginia Jean Bramwell Pierce, 93, passed away on November 5, 2018, in Marshville, NC. She was born April 9, 1925, in Courtland, Kansas, to Harold Ezra Bramwell and Grace Fry Bramwell, both now deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, George Dick Pierce, and by her only sibling, twin sister, Nancy Dean Bramwell Goetsch who passed away on November 5, 2006. Mrs. Pierce is survived by her two children, William Kent Pierce (Sherri) of Fayetteville and Kathryn Jean Pierce Harris (Tom) of Monroe; three grandchildren, Kelly Elizabeth Ginn Slusher (Kyle), Gregory Pierce Harris (Amanda) and Kimberly Nicole Harris; and three great grandchildren, Grayson Jacob Slusher, Brayden Pierce Slusher, and Kade Pierce Harris, all of Monroe. She is also survived by two nieces, Vickie Goetsch Floyd of Athens, Georgia and Virginia Goetsch of Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Pierce graduated from Manhattan High School and Kansas State University, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, with a B. S. degree in Home Economics. She taught in Ottawa, Kansas and worked as a secretary for Kansas Power and Light in both Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas. In September 1951, the Pierces moved from Topeka, Kansas, to Monroe, where Mr. Pierce became the manager of Sally Mac Greenhouses and continued there until his retirement in 1987. The Pierces became active members of their community. They immediately joined First Presbyterian Church, where over the years, Mrs. Pierce served as secretary, treasurer, historian and president of the Women of the Church; chairman of the adult division of Sunday school, served as Circle chair for many years, taught in the primary department, and was a member of the Witness and Service Committee. She also served as Chairman for the Stewardship Committee of the Mecklenburg Presbytery. In the church office, Mrs. Pierce worked as secretary and assisted with communion services. For many years, she was a member of the church’s chancel choir, a service in which she excelled and which she dearly loved. On September 9, 1979, Mrs. Pierce was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church, given in recognition for faithful service. One service organization, in which Mrs. Pierce particularly enjoyed her involvement, was the Girl Scouts of America. She served many years as leader of her daughter’s Girl Scouts Troop and helped her scouts learn vital life skills. Mrs. Pierce was a long-standing member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of P.E.O., with her home Chapter BD in Manhattan, Kansas. Upon moving to Monroe, she demitted to Chapter E., Charlotte, where she served as Chapter president, treasurer for a number of years, and corresponding secretary. In the community, she worked for the American Red Cross as chairman of the volunteers for Bloodmobile. She worked as a Registrar at the polls, and later was elected to serve on the County Board of Elections. In 1990, she was elected chairman of the board, the first woman to serve in this position. In 1995 she was appointed by the Union County Commissioners, to serve on the Union County Domiciliary Advisory Committee, where she was chairperson during her last year of service. Visitation will be Friday, November 9 at First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, NC, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with the service following at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Forest Lawn East, Matthews, NC. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 302 East Windsor St., Monroe, NC 28112.