Michael Dean Pierce, 46, of Elizabethton, passed away Friday, July 8, 2011, at Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness. A native of Carter County, he was the son of Dean and Loretta Oliver Pierce, Elizabethton. Mr. Pierce worked in construction as a millwright. He was a 1983 graduate of Unaka High School. Mr. Pierce attended Pleasant Beach Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Mary Oliver and Armstrong and Grace Pierce; his uncles, Jay Pierce, Warren Oliver, Richard Shelburne, Guerney Pierce, John Williams and Tom Vinson; and his aunts, Shirley Pierce, Barbara Pierce and Georgia Grindstaff.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a brother, Chad Pierce, Asheville, N.C.; his special uncles and aunts, who loved him as much as he loved them; and many cousins. Special friends, Tammy Watson, Tawana Holland, LaDonna Boone, Ray Simmons and Ralph Simmons, also survive.
Graveside services for Mr. Pierce will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, July 11, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Bobby Stout and Rev. Buddy Street officiating. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Pierce, Tommy Pierce, Ronnie Pierce, Donnie Pierce, Matthew Williams, Victor Oliver and David Oliver. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Pierce, Stephen Stout, Terry Ruhl, Bill Oliver, Rex Lewis, Dennis Williams and Gary Eggers. Everyone will meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 2:30 p.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a very special “thank you†to Sycamore Shoals Hospital Third Floor Nurses, the staff at Johnson City Medical Center ICU, the staff at Princeton Transitional Care and to the Carter County Rescue Squad for all their love and the care shown to Mr. Pierce and his family. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the American Cancer Society, c/o Lou Cooter, 415 Washington Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guestbook or by fax to (423) 542-9499. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Pierce family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.
