Ethel Ford Pierce

Ethel Ford Pierce, 85, of Statesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Davis Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Pierce was born January 7, 1925 in Watauga County and was the daughter of the late Squire Jefferson Ford and Nancy Elizabeth Moore Ford. She was a graduate of Central School's class of '43 and on November 2, 1946, she married Robert Vernon Pierce, who preceded her in death. She spent a life time of loving and serving others which included being a lover and worker of agriculture and horticulture, she was well known for her quilting, sewing, and embroidery; Housewife, mother and manager of her heritage of the Ford Farm. She was a member of Snow Creek United Methodist Church, serving in various offices of the church such as church secretary. She was past President of the United Methodist Women as well as Communion Steward. She was also member of Central Grange and served as financial treasurer and assistant coordinator of Central Spelling Bee. Mrs. Pierce was active with the North Carolina Extension Homemakers Central Club. She received several years consecutively the Avid Reader Award from the N.C. Extension Service. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Pierce was also preceded in death by one son, Larry Vernon Pierce along with seven brothers and five sisters. Mrs. Pierce is survived by two daughters, Rebecca "Peggy" Pierce Bradford (Gary) of Statesville, and Patricia "Pat" Pierce Pence (Walter) of Cleveland, N.C.; one daughter-in-law, Kathleen Prevette (Bryce) of Statesville; one sister, Belle Ford Williams of Hickory; five grandsons, Cmdr. Jeff Pierce (Tonya), currently serving in Afghanistan, Michael Prevette (Nancy) of Statesville, Lt.Cmdr. Brian Bradford (Teresa) of Jacksonville, FL, Garrett Bradford (Tiffany) of Stony Point, N.C., and Matthew Pence (Brenna) of Statesville; one granddaughter, Amelia Pence Fox (Addison) of Troutman; great-grandchildren, Callie, Colt, Carlie, and Carson Pierce, Luke, Adam, and Sally Rose Prevette, Samantha, Michael and Carolyn Bradford of Jacksonville, FL., and Weston Ross Fox. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Bonnie Ford. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at Snow Creek United Methodist Church with Rev. Brenda Brashear and Rev. David Locke officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home. The family will assemble other times at the Pierce home. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ethel Ford Pierce.