Gene Stratton Carr Pierce

Gene Stratton Carr Pierce was born on December 23, 1925, in Lamar, MO, and passed away on April 27, 2015, at Oak Tree Manor in Amory, MS. Her parents were James Gale and Florence Stratton Carr.

The family moved from Lamar to Memphis, TN, and later to Tupelo, MS, where Gene graduated from high school. She was a college student in Tennessee before marrying Travis Manning Pierce, an Army Air Corps pilot also from Tupelo, in Lincoln, NE, on September 28, 1945. After living in Tupelo, they spent four years in Memphis while he earned the Doctor of Optometry degree from The Southern College of Optometry. In 1953 they moved to Amory where they raised their children, were active members of First Baptist Church, and participated in many civic activities.

Gene was a homemaker who loved to read, teach expression classes, teach college-age Sunday School, serve as Vacation Bible School director, and do needlework projects. One of her greatest delights was working at and then serving as director of the Amory Museum. She served the museum well, helping to plan and mount exhibits, establish new programs, and greet many visitors.

Gene leaves her five children: Pam (David) Sullivan of Columbus, MS; Bruce (Carolyn) Pierce of Nashville, TN; Patti (Wayne) Edwards of Meridian, MS; Philip (Debbie) Pierce of St. Louis, MO; and Charlotte (Paul) Markow of Huntsville, AL. Also surviving Gene are twelve grandchildren: Jeff (Amy) Sullivan of Portland, OR; April (Ted) Keaton of Pleasant Garden, NC; Penny (Grant) Harrison of Nashville, TN; Scott (Lydia) Edwards of Starkville, MS; Elizabeth (Justin) McDonald of Meridian, MS; James Edward (Emily) Pierce of Nashville, TN; Patrick (Erin) Pierce of Jackson, MS; Paul (Raluca) Markow of Huntsville, AL; John (Katie) Markow of Huntsville, AL; Matthew (Melissa) Markow of Fredericksburg, VA; and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Rita C. (Wayne) Bean of Sugarland, TX; brothers Leon D. Carr of Tarragona, Spain, and Jerry G. Carr (Margaret) of Raymond, MS; relatives in Missouri; and a number of nephews and nieces in several states and in Spain.

Gene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Travis Pierce; two infant grandchildren, Stanton Pierce and Kim Edwards; her sister-in-law, Amparo Carr; and a nephew, Wayne Bean, Jr.

Gene and Travis lived their final years at Oak Tree Manor, and the family is ever appreciative of the care they received there. Gene also received special care from Camellia and Gentiva hospice staff members. She was known at Oak Tree as Prissy, and the employees commented on how often she said to them, “Thank you for everything you do for me.”

The funeral will be held at First Baptist Church of Amory on Friday, May 1, 2015, with visitation at 1:00 PM and the service at 2:00. Burial will follow at Masonic Cemetery. Dr. Allen Simpson and Rev. Jimmy McFatter will officiate, and her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, to the Amory Museum, or to a charity of your choice.