Nilton Joseph Pierce

Nilton Joseph Pierce, 69, died peacefully at home on Thursday, October 9, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Wilton and Ella Mae Pierce, on June 9, 1945. Nilton was a native of Lockport, former resident of Raceland, and resident of Gonzales. A graduate of Lockport High School, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Education degree from Nicholls State University. He retired after 32 ½ years in education with the last ten years as Assistant Principal at Central Lafourche High School (CLHS) in Mathews, Louisiana. For almost 25 years, he announced the CLHS football games and was proudly known as “The Voice of the Trojans”.

Nilton was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Shelton Pierce; daughter, Stacie Pierce Rivera and her husband Fernando of Silver Spring, Maryland; son, Gunnery Sergeant Scott Anthony Pierce, USMC Retired, and his wife Jacki of Thibodaux, Louisiana; mother, Ella Mae Pierce of Raceland; brother Joel Pierce and sister Beverly Pierce Rodrigue of Raceland; brother-in-law, Rev. Harrell Shelton and his family of Bossier City, Louisiana; grandchildren, Fernando Rivera, Jr., Mateo Pierce Rivera, and Dulce Rivera of Silver Spring, Maryland; Shae Pierce, Sadie Pierce, and Jaycee Pierce of Thibodaux; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Nilton was preceded in death by his father, Wilton Pierce, a brother, Donald Pierce, a grandson, Jaden Michael Pierce, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Murphy and Mary Joe Shelton.

Nilton will be remembered by friends and relatives as an avid golfer, LSU and Saints football fan, renowned “Boudreaux” joke teller, and a fantastic dancer. With poise, grace, and style, Nilton enjoyed life in balance. He quietly supported those he loved, was generous and thoughtful. He was a hollow reed, teaching, inspiring, and giving to others, especially his children and grandchildren, and of course the thousands of students whom he taught throughout the decades.

The family extends thanks to the St. Joseph Hospice Staff, especially his nurse, Allegra Dennis, for her exceptional care and compassion; his doctors, Dr. Jay Brooks, Dr. Ana Pou, Dr. Stephan Antrobus, Dr. Ira Thorla, Dr. William Baird, Dr. Laura Hetzler, the Ochsner Transplant Center in New Orleans, and the other medical personnel who assisted in his care.

Visitation will be from 9 AM until the 11 AM funeral mass, conducted by Father Michael Galea, on Monday, October 13, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 7348 Main Street, Sorrento, Louisiana. Burial will take place at Centuries Memorial Park, preceded by a visitation at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, from 10 AM until 11 AM followed by a service conducted by Rev. Harrell Shelton.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, 8200 Hampson St., Suite 425, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118 or online at www.kidneyla.org. All donations will be used for programs and services throughout Louisiana. For an online guest book, visit www.oursofuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ourso Funeral Home of Gonzales.