of Bee Branch, AR
June 11, 1929 - February 7, 2016
Fairel J. Pierce 86, of Bee Branch, Arkansas went to be with his Lord on Sunday morning, February 7th 2016. He was born June 11, 1929 in Heber Springs to John and Annie Huey Pierce.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War. He was employed by Timex in Little Rock for 45 years as a tool and die specialist . Later in life he answered the call to preach and was ordained as a General Baptist minister. He preached in a number of churches for 28 years including terms of service as pastor at Mt. Zion in Bee Branch, Pleasant Hill in Center Ridge, and Pine Mountain in Bee Branch. His final pastorate was at Pine Mountain where he served from 1998 until his retirement from the ministry in 2013. Fairel loved being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. The Pierce family traveled to Bull Shoals every summer for 50 years to camp and fish.
Rev. Pierce and his family presented bluegrass music shows for 30 years at Cadron Creek Bluegrass Park. Fairel sang and played guitar, mandolin and fiddle. He loved the music and the people who participated in the shows whether by singing, playing or listening. The Pierce home and Cadron Creek Bluegrass Park were devastated by a tornado in 2008. Rev. Pierce and his wife, Faye, took refuge in a bathtub. After the tornado had passed, they were found still sitting in the battered tub several yards away from where their home had stood. Fairel was holding a small piece of what was left of the house to protect Faye from the hail that followed the tornado. He later said the main thing he remembers from the time they were in the storm was the feeling of being held tightly by strong arms.
Rev. Pierce is survived by his wife of 65 years, Faye Barnum Pierce; three children and their spouses, Judy (Carl) Sparks, Danny (Linda) Pierce, and Jill (Jeremy) Sory; grandchildren, Steven (Lori) Melton, Jason (Lauren) Pierce, Jennie (Kyle) Buell, Michael (Joyce) Melton, Jay Pierce, Mason Eades, Harrison Eades, Jennifer Sory and Jacob Sory; and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Wheeler and Norma Faye Sams, his brother, Johnny Pierce, and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jeff and Roy and four sisters, Annie, Clio, Elvie, and Lois.
Fairel Pierce will be remembered for the twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes, his tender heart, ready wit, kind smile, and above all else--for the love he had for his family, friends, and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but we are comforted by the words of Matthew 25:21: ''His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00pm Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel in Clinton, Arkansas. Funeral Service will be 1:00pm Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel Clinton, Arkansas with Pastor Ron Bird officiating. Burial with U.S. Army Funeral Honors will follow at Pine Mountain Cemetery Bee Branch, Arkansas.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and directions of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Arkansas. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton
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16 Condolence(s)
Dennis and Shirley Henderson
Thursday, February 11, 2016
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Reba Privett Wessell
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Faye, Judy, Danny, Jill and family. I am so sorry for your loss. When I think of Fairel, I always think of him with a smile. He was a very likeable person. May all of those good memories you have of him be a comfort to you in the days ahead, plus the knowledge that you were there by his side to care for him until the end. What a blessing and comfort that was for him. Sending love and prayers to all of you. Reba .
Joeletta (Summers) Porter
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family.
Neashall Webb
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Faye, Judy, Danny, Jill and the entire family. I am truly sorry for your loss. Fairel was a good person and his kindness will never, ever be forgotten. May God wrap his arms of comfort around you and give you peace. "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow"
-- Author unknown
MELANIE WOODRUFF
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
My condolences go out to all who knew and loved Fairel.
Melanie Woodruff
Matt Nesbitt
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Sorry for your loss, he will be missed
Sherry Hutchison
Monday, February 8, 2016
Faye, I am so sorry for your loss. Fairel will be missed by many. You and your family are in my prayers. If you need me, just call. I'll be there for you. Sherry and Kenny Hutchison
Donald & Bobbye Kuykendall
Monday, February 8, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to your family. It was a pleasure to have him visit us in Ok and a great pleasure to get to know him and call him friend.
Betty Holland Hainley & Audrey Holland Bradford
Monday, February 8, 2016
Our Sympathy to the wonderful family. Faye and Children, Betty, Nora and Johnny. Clio and Lois were our close friends here in CA. We knew Fariel and family as children. God give all of you strength for today and the days to follow. God Bless, Betty and Audrey
Frank & Cynthia Griggs
Monday, February 8, 2016
May God hold you in the palm of His hand and comfort you in your loss. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal." - from an Irish headstone. You are in our prayers.
Ron Graham
Monday, February 8, 2016
Mr Pierce really was one of the "Good Guys", a man whose Faith and Family were prioritys in his life and it showed. Our prayers go out to the family
Jill Sory
Monday, February 8, 2016
Thank you all for the many prayers prayed for us thru all of this! Dad loved his family and friends deeply!
Lanita Moore
Monday, February 8, 2016
Go rest high on that mountain my dear friend then go to the river and catch a mess of fish. Forever in my heart.
Bobby&linda Brock
Monday, February 8, 2016
Sorry for the lost of a friend
Ken and Rose Adams Burroughs
Monday, February 8, 2016
Faye,Judy,Danny,Jill,and family:
The loss of Ferrell is a loss to all who knew him. His smile and kindness will always live in my heart. A fine man with a generous heart. May God wrap you all with love in this most difficult of time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ruby Hopper
Monday, February 8, 2016
Faye you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. I have thought about all the times we played Rook and went camping together and all
the fun we had.
If you need me I am here for you.
God bless all of you