Reuben Pierce Sr.

Reuben Pierce Sr. was born April 13th, 1923 in Minter, (Dallas County), Alabama, the eldest of 8 children born to Vince and Elizabeth (Swain) Pierce. He attended Street Manuel training school, graduated from Dunbar High School in Bessemer, Alabama and attended Miles College in Birmingham. Alabama.

He served his country in World War II, receiving an honorable discharge. On April 10th, 1951 he married Lela Bell Wilson in Bessemer, Alabama and to this union 5 children were born: Carolyn Ann, Nathan Robinson, Patricia Lynn, Reuben, Jr. and Timothy Oneal. He moved to Albion in 1953 and was employed at Hayes Albion Malleable for 32 1/2 years before retiring in 1985. He was an active member of Lewis Chapel AME church, where he served on the Steward Board. He was also active in Local Union 474 and served on the board of the local credit union.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 64 years, Lela Pierce; two daughters, Carolyn (Manuel) Davis of Lansing, Michigan and Patricia (Willie) Thompson of Raleigh, North Carolina; two sons, Reuben Jr. (Lenora) Pierce of St. Clair Shores, Michigan and Timothy Pierce of San Francisco, California; 1 sister, Cebell Miller of Griffin, Georgia; 2 brothers, James Pierce of Montgomery, Alabama and Fletcher (Sylvia) Pierce of McCormick, South Carolina; 2 sister-in laws, Roxie Pierce of Bessemer, Alabama and Juanita Pierce of Tuskegee, Alabama; 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Nathan Pierce, grandson Darryl Gardenhire, brother Nathaniel Pierce, sister Ludell (J.C.) Crenshaw and brother Booker Pierce.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 12:00PM (NOON) at

Lewis Chapel AME Church, 522 W. Center Street, Albion, Michigan with

Reverend Donald L. Phillips III. Family Hour will start at 11:00AM before service.

Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Albion.