A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Livestreaming will be available at https://www.westpreschurch.org/live.
Ned was born February 14, 1942 in Elmore County, AL, the son of Eric Stephens Pierce and Murrelle Lamberth Pierce. He was always grateful for his humble roots and they became an important part of his identity.
Ned was a proud graduate of Auburn University where he was a member of Spades, a Leadership Honorary for the ten most outstanding seniors each year. He went on to receive his MBA from Emory University. It was in Atlanta where he met Margaret, his beloved wife of 53 years. The years that followed brought an extensive and rewarding career in real estate where he developed thousands homes for deserving families. While Ned’s list of accomplishments is long, it was never in his nature to highlight them. What truly mattered to Ned were authentic relationships… and he was a master at fostering those relationships. He simply never met a stranger due to his constant curiosity and his magnetic personality.
In recent years, nothing brought him more joy than his six grandchildren. Ned’s passions included family, friends and Auburn Football. He modeled the gift of presence… always taking time to learn everyone’s story. As a skilled storyteller and the product of a large family, Ned could always entertain by sharing colorful tales of his many ancestors. His entire life was led with love and he never missed an opportunity to tell someone how special they were. Put simply… to know Ned was to love Ned.
In addition to his parents, Ned was preceded in death by his step-father, William Leonard Dean, who served as his father figure for most of his life, and his brother-in-law, Jeffrey Lewis Smith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret Miller Pierce, son, Brian Dean Pierce of Greensboro (Kate), daughter, Anna Pierce Dickson of St. Louis, MO (James); six beloved grandchildren, James Pierce Dickson of Atlanta, GA, William Cason Pierce of Durham, NC, Blair Elizabeth Dickson of Auburn, AL, Margaret Howell Pierce of Greenville, SC, Stuart Miller Dickson of Auburn, AL and Brian Turner Pierce of Greensboro; sister Carol Dean Smith of Huntsville, AL and brother, Edward Arthur Dean of Mobile, AL (Susan).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ned and Margaret Pierce Scholarship at Auburn University. Make checks payable to Auburn University Foundation and designate the contribution to the Ned and Margaret Pierce School of Business Endowed Scholarship Fund. Checks can be mailed to Auburn University Foundation 317 College St. Auburn, AL 36849
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
