Grace Anne Pierce

Grace Anne Pierce departed peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA.

Grace, or "Pookie" as she was affectionately known, was born on December 7, 1963, in the elevator of the Obici Hospital in Suffolk, VA, en route to the delivery room. She was the final baby girl of the late Major Pierce, Jr. and Sarah Ann Elizabeth Lias Pierce. At 12, Grace became a devoted lifetime Little Zion Baptist Church member.

Grace was a native of Smithfield and a 1982 graduate of Smithfield High School and a  2001 "Magna Cum Laude" graduate of Paul D. Camp Community College with an associate's degree in Administrative Support Technology, Grace continued her thirst for knowledge. In addition to her work as a Quality Assurance Specialist for Avon (later named Newport News, Inc.), Grace also held a position as an Administrative Assistant with the City of Newport News Social Services Department.

A very savvy businesswoman, Grace started G & N Helping Hands as her first business. Lastly, Grace managed the Church Manor Apartments complex until the time of her passing. Grace took great pleasure in culinary delights, especially her favorite, meatloaf. Grace was an ultimate band mom to her son, Andrés' bands; she loved to play bingo, travel with family, drink Pepsi, listen to Luther Vandross, play word games, and share financial literacy with others. On any day of the week, Grace could be seen snuggled up on her couch watching her favorite shows, "Jeopardy," "Wheel of Fortune," HGTV, and Hallmark channel movies.

Grace was preceded in death by her father, Major Pierce Jr., mother, Sarah L. Pierce, and sister, Maggie Lias, Smithfield, VA. Grace leaves to cherish her memories: her only child, Andrés Pierce, Smithfield, VA; sisters, Rosa T. Burrell, Margette Gray (Larry), and Jacqueline P. Ruffin (Ernest), Smithfield, VA; brothers, Charles Lias (Mary), Hinesville, GA, and Major Pierce, III (Belinda), Newport News, VA; aunts, Patricia Spratley, California, Margaret Parker, Smithfield, VA, Elizabeth Pierce, Pennsylvania, and Ever Maney, Smithfield, VA; uncles, Joseph Lias, and Wilbert Shivers, Smithfield, VA; her best friend, Sandra Oliver, Alabama, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00pm on Saturday, April 08, 2023 at Little Zion Baptist Church,9496 Old Stage Highway, Smithfield, VA 23430. Viewing will take place on Friday, April 07, 2023 from 3-6 pm at the Chapel. Interment following the service in Baptist Cemetery, Berry Hill Road Smithfield, VA. Please keep the Pierce family in your prayers.