Kristen Ann Pierce

Kristen Ann (Sweet) Pierce entered her eternal rest on August 29, 2025, at her residence, surrounded by friends and family. After a valiant seven-month battle with cancer, Kristen’s life journey ended far too soon — but her impact will be felt forever. She was deeply loved and is already profoundly missed.

They say the dash between the dates of birth and death is the most important part of a life, and Kristen lived her dash to the fullest — with fierce determination, courage, and heart. At just 20 years old, she faced a life-threatening heart condition that changed her forever. She won that battle, and it ignited in her a passion for truly living. That experience became the foundation for the bold, adventurous, and purpose-filled life she built.

Kristen pursued a career in nursing, achieving her goal with grit and grace. Never one to settle, she combined her love of helping others with her thirst for exploration through travel nursing, which took her across the U.S. and beyond — including assignments in Guam and Puerto Rico.

It was in Guam that Kristen discovered her love for the sea. She became an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer, diving in some of the world’s most stunning waters — from the Philippines and Bali to Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, and the Galápagos. Between 2017 and 2025, she logged over 1,000 dives. Kristen was, in every sense, a mermaid — finding joy in the quiet wonder of the deep, dancing with manta rays, swimming among sharks, and always seeking out her favorite, the octopus. Her photography allowed loved ones to glimpse the beauty she found underwater, and she made lifelong friends in her diving community.

Back on dry land, Kristen was a voracious reader with a personal library of over 1,500 books. Through the online community “BookTok,” she found her people — her tribe. Under the moniker Kristen’s Korner, she built a following of thousands, championing indie authors and sharing reviews with warmth, humor, and insight. A book retreat in October 2024 led to the creation of her beloved “5-Star Besties,” a close-knit group of readers turned real-life friends. After her diagnosis, this group became her core support system. When asked what she wanted to do before her story ended, Kristen didn’t hesitate — and the adventures began. Book conventions, road trips, author signings, snorkel trips, laughter, and unforgettable memories followed.

Though fiercely independent, Kristen’s heart opened wide in those final months. She had always leaned on her soulmate and best friend, Laura, but never expected the outpouring of love from so many. Her family, whom she worried she had been away from too long, stepped in immediately. Her Uncle John and Aunt Kim ensured she had home-cooked meals every week. A family group text kept everyone connected — a lifeline of love and updates. A family cruise in May brought pure joy to Kristen, who cherished that time together deeply. Weekend cookouts, long visits from her sister Carrie, and the comfort of home surrounded her in those final months.

When Kristen could no longer work, her BookTok community stepped up — raising funds, sending care packages, and donating books for raffles. Her following grew to over 30,000. Kristen was amazed by the love and generosity that poured in. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this,” she often said. The truth is — she simply was herself, and that was more than enough.

Never one to sit idle, Kristen took up new hobbies during her illness — learning cross stitch, creating diamond art pieces, designing bookmarks, and putting together puzzles with friends. Each creation was an expression of love and gratitude for those who supported her.

Through it all — every milestone and every ordinary day — one person remained constant: Laura. More than a best friend, Laura was Kristen’s Anam Cara — her soul friend. Together, they faced the world, earned their nursing degrees, and built a shared life of adventure and love. In Kristen’s final months, Laura was her caregiver, her strength, her stability, her laughter, her softness, and her rock. The love between them was quiet but unshakable — the kind that needs no explanation.

Kristen’s greatest loves were her cherished feline companions: CJ, Sammy, and most recently, Georgie, the orange kitty who completed the family. They traveled with her on her many adventures and were her constant source of comfort and joy.

Though Kristen’s illness was part of her story, it never defined her. She faced each day with a radiant smile and fierce independence. Through her social media, she invited others into her world with authenticity and grace — sharing the good, the hard, and everything in between. If you want to experience Kristen’s light, visit her page. Stay awhile. She’ll recommend a book for you.

Preceded in death by:

Her parents: Sharon Lynn Vogel and Gary Sweet

Her aunt: Carla Leigh Loner

Survived by:

Her beloved cats: CJ, Sammy, and Georgie

Her life partner and soulmate: Laura Everett

Her sister: Carrie Reynolds (Joseph)

Aunts and Uncles: John Vogel (Kim), Cynthia Hutchins (Cecil), Leonard Vogel (Colleen), Robert Champion

Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews

Special thanks to:

Dr. Angela Hayes

Her tribe, the 5-Star Besties: Laura, Nikki, Leilani, Evie, and Simone

Compassus Hospice: Anna, Sam, and Leah — for giving the best of themselves to Kristen in the hardest of times

Let Kristen’s life be a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to live a life full of wonder, kindness, laughter, and love.

A visitation for Kristen will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Woodstock Funeral Home, Inc., 8855 Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations by made to ABMR (American Belgian Malinois Rescue) https://www.malinoisrescue.org/