Mary Jean Pierson

Mary Jean McMichael Pierson, 79, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Eugene and Brooke McMichael and the wife, for 62 years, of Lee Pierson. She was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Canton and Decatur, GA. They moved to Athens in 1955 where Lee started his business career.

Mary Jean was a member of Athens First United Methodist Church. She served in various volunteer capacities in her church and community over the years. She loved genealogy and spent ten years researching, writing and publishing a book of family history, Our Southern Heritage.

In addition to her husband, Mary Jean is survived by their daughters, Donna Smartt (Sam), Lookout Mountain, TN, Lynn Pierson (Rex Kizzort), Roswell, GA; three grandchildren, Mary Smartt Caines (David), Susan Smartt Cook (Joshua), Sam R. Smartt III (Amanda), and four great-grandchildren, Miles, Eleanor, Townes, and Louisa Caines. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marian and Eugenia Pierson, her brother-in-law, Patt Moore and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded by two sisters, Malissa Fehn (Mike) and Anne Moore (Patt). She enjoyed wonderful friendships including her Athens bridge group of many years and her Decatur bridge group, “the Sunshine Girls”, friends from childhood.

Funeral services will be held at Athens First United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 3rd at 2:00PM followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be the following day, March 4th at 2:00PM at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta. Friends are welcome at either or both services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.