Marla S. Pierce

Marla confessed her faith in Christ early in life at St. Benedict Catholic Parish in Blue Island, IL. Her spiritual journey later took her to Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church where she joined under the Pastor James C. Ward.

Marla attended the community schools in Blue Island and Harvey, IL where she resided and graduated from Thornton High School. She also attended Olive Harvey College.

In 1991 she moved to Atlanta and later met and married John Pierce in 1997. A marriage that lasted until God called her home.

Marla worked, until her illness prevented, at the Metro Atlanta YMCA as a Youth Development Director. As an employee of the YMCA, she was able to fulfill her purpose and passion of serving and working with people. She was dedicated to the active senior adults "The Kool Poolers" whom she called her teenagers.

Marla enjoyed reaching out, helping, and talking with people she met. As a result of her endearing personality, she was loved by the many people who knew her. Having a sense of humor, she often teased and joked with family and friends.

Traveling was an interest and hobby of Marla's. She chaperone trips and local outings with her seniors to The Holy Land Experience, Bahamas, Brazil, and New Orleans. Marla also traveled with her "Soul Sista's" on yearly Girls' trips to places such as Hilton Head S.C., Destin, FL, and Golf Shores, AL.

Everyone who knew Marla also knew that her children(Karla and Demetrius) and grandchildren(Kylie and Chase) were the center of her life. Nothing made her happier than supporting them and surrounding them with her love. She also cherished the time she spent with her siblings.

Marla never met a stranger. She enjoyed reaching out, helping, and talking with anyone she met. She possessed a contagious sense of humor and often teased and joked with family and friends. As a result of her endearing personality, Marla was loved by many people.

Marla fought the good fight, ran the race, and kept the faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie SR. and Peggy Parham; paternal grandparents, Kelsey and Willie Mae (Big Ma) Parham; great grandmother, Mamie (Granny) Colclough, maternal grandparents, Jacob and Florence Martinez; siblings, Andre Meredith and Alicia Wilkerson; and aunts, Patsy and Penny Martinez.

Marla leaves precious memories in the hearts of her husband John Pierce; Children, Karla (Gregory) Jones and Demetrius (Miesha) Robinson; Stepchildren, Sheena Jones, Nadine Pierce, and Alledra Pierce; Grandchildren, Kylie Jones, Chase Robinson, and Jayce Pierce; Brothers, Duane (Geraldine) Parham, Eddie Parham Jr, Christopher (Nina) Reed, Eric and Terry White; Sisters, Angela (Michael) Reese, Tonya Meredith, Wendy and Anjanette White; Aunts, Anne Doris Davis, Papita, Florence, Punchita, and Vivian Parham; Uncles, James (Delores) Parham, Pedro, Marchino, Valentino, Ricardo, and Andre Martinez; Step-Mother Elaine Strickland; Mother-in-law Isabelle Pierce; and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, her Soul Sistas and friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Snellville, GA.