OBITS: Daily Herald 7 Jul 2005; Provo, Utah co., Utah

text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project
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Source: Daily Herald http://www.daily-herald.com

Pierce, Mary Joiner            
Mary Joiner Pierce of Vernal, Utah, passed away quietly at home from natural
causes on June 30, 2005. Mary was born in Finleyson, Georgia to Perry Lee and
Mary Eddie Joiner of Americus Georgia on July 02, l918. She joined the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1944, and married Arthur Clyde Pierce
Sr. Oct. 2, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. In death she will join her husband
Art who died Jan. 14, 2002 and daughter Gloria Anne who died July 9, 1949. She
is survived by her sisters Polly Bardin of Columbus GA, and Francis Kale
(Erskine) of Atlanta GA, and her children, Nancy Searle (Paul) of Vernal UT,
Mary Lee Parkes (Melvin) of Layton UT, Sabra Young (Robert) of Bountiful UT,
Arthur Clyde Pierce Jr. of Anchorage, AK, Lourena Phillips (Thomas) of West
Jordan UT, Arwella Curtis (Cory) of Holbrook ID. Mary and Art have 42
grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren. Mary moved with her husband to El
Paso TX, in 1945, after their marriage. Through the years they lived in many
different cities including: Mesa, Tucson, and Prescott, AZ., Americus GA.,
Taylorsville, Salt Lake City, Provo, Pleasant Grove, and finally Vernal UT.
Mary did genealogy research for more than 50 years and during that process
wrote a book concerning her family s genealogy. Over those years, she also
served faithfully in almost every position a woman can hold in the Church. In
later years, she and Art, served three missions, one in Barcelona Spain, and
the second in Merida, Yucatan Mexico. They also served a temple mission in the
Atlanta Georgia Temple. She served formal missions but was also a living
example of the prophet s direction, " Every member a missionary". She shared
her testimony with all, as she loved the gospel and she loved people. She
never met a stranger. Her faith and testimony was a shining example to all who
associated with her. She loved drama and directed and wrote several plays for
the church. She was very artistic in many areas including flower arranging,
creating visual aids and oil painting. Being a mother first, she considered
her children her greatest works in progress. She was always of service to
anyone in need, quietly visiting and helping wherever she could. Our family
invites you to celebrate her life with us at funeral services which will be
held as follows: A viewing Thursday evening July 7, at Thomson-Blackburn
Vernal Mortuary located at 15 East 100 North, Vernal, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. A
viewing Friday evening July 8, at Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City, located
at 260 East South Temple from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday
July 9, at 10 a.m. at Larkin Mortuary with a viewing for an hour prior to the
services. Internment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 4th Ave. & "N"
Street. Services provided by Thomson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.
Published in the Daily Herald on 7/7/2005.