passed to the church triumphant on June 26th, 2020. He was born in West Chester, PA and was a member of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and is an honorably retired member of the Presbytery of East Tennessee. He served pastorates in PA., Elizabeth and Ravenswood, W. VA.
He served at the First Presbyterian Church of Harlan, KY. (1968-1982), where according to the church’s Facebook page “His ministry was characterized by community outreach and ecumenical cooperation. Highlights include establishment of the Friendship Club, Dial-a-Devotion, hiring a mission outreach worker and later engaging summer interns to work with children in the community, participation in the Harlan Christian Arts Festival, and welcoming people of color into our membership.”
His final full-time pastorate was at the New Hope Presbyterian Church on Merchant Rd.
After his retirement in 1993 he continued to serve as a temporary minister for area Presbyterian churches until 2018. He strove to give his sermons without having any written notes. His last sermon was given on Father’s Day, 2018 at Emmanuel Presbyterian, a black church in Knoxville where he filled in several Sundays when they were seeking a new pastor.
He was a past-president of the Knoxville Ministerial Association and participated in monthly luncheons for retired Presbyterian Clergy in the Knoxville Area.
He was very active in the Presbytery of East Tennessee and served on several committees, and was its representative at ARMSS, the national association for retired Presbyterian Ministers, their spouses and survivors. He was also the Presbytery’s contact for the Board of Pensions.
He was also an active supporter of Wycliffe Translators, which has helped people around the world translate the Bible into their own languages.
He received his undergraduate degree from King’s College in New Castle, Delaware and attended seminary at Lincoln Bible Institute. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in 1974.
Since the early 1970’s he attended the Massanetta Springs Bible Conference held every summer in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he enjoyed meeting with friends of many years. For the last several years he travelled to Chesapeake, Virginia for an annual “Crab Nebula” blue crab feast with friends he and his son met at Massanetta. He drove his 2012 Buick LeSabre from Knoxville to both of them in 2019.
His favorite musical piece was Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and he attended orchestral and opera performances at the Tennessee Theater. He also enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and followed the Tennessee Lady Vols.
He grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and until his later years enjoyed having a large garden that always included sweet corn.
He was devoted to his wife, Mary Pierson, and during her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease stood by her side until she passed in 2015. He was preceded in death by parents George B. and Emily Mason Pierson, sisters, Eleanor Pierson Steele, Esther Pierson Elvin and brother Howard G. Pierson.
Dr. Pierson is survived by his son, Mark Edward Pierson of Atlanta, Ga, and his grandcat Icarus (Icky).
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Sutherland Ave. with the Rev. Tim Reynolds, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, presiding. The service will be streamed over the internet and can be accessed by googling Weaver Funeral Home Knoxville Facebook.
Friends may call at their convenience from 2-6 Tuesday, July 30th at Weaver Funeral Home.
(At both events we are encouraging social distancing and wearing of masks)
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tn. 37919 designated for discretionary causes. Handling of arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home, Knoxville, TN.
For condolences please visit www.weaverfuneralservices.com
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