Laura Pierce
Laura Lee Pierce passed away peacefully at her home on July 26, 2022. She was born in Cape Girardeau on June 28, 1930 to Lucille Schultz and Eugene Huffman. She was raised in a loving home on Henderson Avenue which included her adoring mother, grandparents, uncle and cousins. She spoke fondly and often of her childhood recounting so many memories of her youth. She graduated from Central High School in 1947 after which she attended Cape College, now Southeast Missouri State University. On a blind date she met Robert “Bob” Pierce, who had just returned from World War II after having served in the United States Navy. They were a perfect match, she provided beauty, elegance and support to a kind, gentle and wise soul. On May 29, 1949 they married at Grace Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. After a quick honeymoon in St. Louis they moved to Starkville, Mississippi for Bob to pursue his degree in Agriculture at Mississippi State University.
After graduation the Pierce’s moved to his hometown of Caruthersville, Missouri to begin their lives. Bob farmed and Laura kept the home and together they started a family. She filled her time with caring for the family and making and enjoying her lifelong friends. Laura was an active member of Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the local chapter of the P.E.O. She was also part of a Wednesday Bridge Group that met for over fifty years. Once a month close friends Freddie Gubin, Dorothy Currie, Betty Dorroh, Martha Dorroh and Bootsie Fike met to play bridge and share life’s stories. Together the Pierce’s enjoyed hosting parties, dancing, playing a game of pool or cards with their close friends and days boating on the lake with family. What a wonderful gift all of those friends and families were and are to the Pierce family.
Although the family is sad she is gone they are comforted that she is at peace knowing her legacy and memories will stay alive in each of them. She had a wonderful marriage, lifelong friends and a family she adored and who adored her – the definition of a life well lived.
Laura Pierce is preceded in death by her adoring husband, Robert O. Pierce, Sr., loving mother, Lucille Schultz Sutherland, and devoted uncle, Paul B. Schultz. She is survived by her children, Robert “Bob” O. Pierce, Jr. (Jan) of Caruthersville, Missouri, Jeffrey Lee Pierce (Virginia) of Caruthersville, Missouri and Carol Pierce Olson (John) of Brentwood, Tennessee. She is also survived by grandchildren Robert “Bert” O. Pierce, III (Kara) of Caruthersville, Missouri, Andrew Pierce (fiancée Katelyn Duffy) of Portageville, Missouri, Matthew Pierce (Mary Hannah) of Hayti, Missouri, Erin Pierce (fiancée Sean Deeney) of Memphis, Tennessee, Pierce Olson of Nashville, Tennessee and Eric Olson of Nashville, Tennessee as well as great-grandchildren Madilynne and Robert “Rob” O. Pierce, IV of Caruthersville, Missouri, Fisher and Casen Pierce of Hayti, Missouri, and Blythe and Bill Pierce of Portageville, Missouri.
The Pierce family would like to thank Cindy Moss for the love, care and friendship she provided Laura in her final years.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, July 29, 2022 followed by a reception at the Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church at noon. All family and friends are invited to the Church to celebrate Laura’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memoriam can be made to the Caruthersville Humane Society supporting the animals she loved.
Funeral services held at Eastwood Memorial Methodist Church with interment in Maple Cemetery.
H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services
