Melissa Heywood Pierce

Melissa was born on November 13, 1977. She was a graduate of Lexington High School and a member of Alpha XI Delta sorority at Newberry College where received a degree in Early Childhood Development. She was commonly referred to as “Sissy” by her family, especially her younger sister, Pamela, and her nieces and nephews. She was a loving daughter, loyal sister, proud mom, and friend. Melissa had an infectious smile. She had a happy, bubbly personality that made her shine and caused people to want to be in her presence. Melissa loved school and her friends, especially her sorority sisters with whom she stayed in contact through the years.

She is survived by her son, Caleb Trimnel and daughter, Rayna Pierce; her stepchildren, Gage Pierce and Claire Pierce and their father, David Pierce; her mother, Ann Kiser Leonhardt (Tommy); her sister, Pamela Heywood Yates (Rusty); nieces, Sadie Ray (Sam) and Peyton Richbourg; nephew, Logan Ray, and Bobby Barnes which she shared unconditional love together that was cut so short in her untimely passing and half-sister, Brandi Heywood. She was loved by her numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. She had one great niece that she simply adored. She was preceded in death by her father, Roger Heywood; her grandparents, Johnnie J. Kiser and Myrtle Harmon Kiser, Ray Hallman and Vina Mae Hallman along with her Uncle Duck, Jan Kiser (Patsy) and Uncle David Heywood.

The memorial service for Melissa will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Icon Church, 1230 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210. The family will receive guests immediately after the service. Memorials in memory of Melissa may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you would like to share memories of Melissa at the service, you will have the opportunity.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.