Geraldine Pierce

Geraldine 'Gerry' Lee Pierce age 87 of Columbia, Missouri, and whose family formerly resided in Nashua, Iowa, died peacefully Tuesday morning May 20, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Olson Chapel, Nashua, with Pastor Okitakoyi Lundula presiding. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Olson Chapel. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Gerry was born June 14, 1926, in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Lowell Cory and Elizabeth Priscilla (Whittle) Ransom. She graduated from West Waterloo High in 1944 and attended Iowa State University and Iowa State Teachers College before meeting the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Allen Pierce, at the Republic Church in July of 1945, after he returned from the service. They were married on October 20, 1945, at the United Brethren Church in Waterloo. To this union two children were born, Robert Allen Pierce II (Bobby) and Julie Ann Pierce Fulton. Gerry was an important part of her husband’s successful career as a wildlife biologist and Extension Specialist. His work took them to many new places throughout the United States during the 1940's, 50’s and 60’s, namely Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Iowa and Arkansas. They resided in Little Rock for over 35 years and together they developed close friendships along the way. She was a homemaker and also a Branch Manager for Worthen Bank and Trust Company in Little Rock and greatly enjoyed helping others. Gerry was a devoted wife and mother and she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Besides her family, Gerry’s interests included dancing, music, playing bridge and all card games. She organized and played in numerous bridge clubs most of her life and those friendships are among her most cherished. Music filled her life from a very young age. She was an accomplished pianist, soloist and choir member at the United Brethren and Republic churches in Iowa, and at Pulaski Heights Christian Church in Little Rock. She also greatly enjoyed her experiences as a member of the Saxon Singers, a professional chorale, while in Little Rock. Her home was always filled with music as she played pieces on the Chickering piano and a pot of coffee was always brewing ready for friends to drop by. She looked forward to watching mysteries and the next sporting event, whether it was baseball, golf or tennis. In 1997 Gerry and Bob moved to Columbia, Missouri. She loved the Columbia area and, once again, they made and developed many close friendships. She played in two bridge clubs and was a past-member of the Country Club of Missouri, where she enjoyed playing cards in the company of wonderful friends. She was a long standing member of King’s Daughters and most recently with the Elosia Haseman Circle in Columbia. Gerry celebrated and loved life and her positivity and generosity will always be remembered. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by a son, Robert A. Pierce II of Columbia, Missouri; a daughter, Julie Pierce Fulton and her husband, John, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and 2 granddaughters, Cory Paige Fulton and Caroline Grace Fulton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Beth, her husband Bob, her sister Priscilla Knudsen, her in-laws Charlotte and Will Pierce, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.