Ruth H. Pierce, 94, died peacefully in her home in Blessing, TX on August 13, 2010.
She was born in Palacios on July 21, 1916 to George A. Harrison and Lena S. Harrison. As a child, she lived on the family farm at Prairie Center, between Blessing and Palacios. Her father was a long-standing county commissioner during the difficult years of the Great Depression. She was the oldest sister to four siblings: Naomi Brown, Marion Robinson, George "Bill" Harrison, and Laura Huddleston. She attended Palacios High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class. After attending Rice University and the University of Texas, she earned a BA in Chemistry with honors and a subsequent Masters degree in Bacteriology. These were uncommon accomplishments for women at that time. While employed as a medical technologist in Houston, she met her future husband Abel B. Pierce, Jr., of Blessing. They were married at St John's Episcopal Church on October 3, 1942.
From 1938 to the present she was a member of the Iota Sigma Pi Honorary Fraternity for Women in Chemistry. She was an avid historian and co-founded the Blessing Historical Foundation, a non-profit organization aiding the upkeep of the historic Blessing Hotel. Her interest in history was secondary only to her interest in genealogy, prompting her to commission a Pierce family history that when unrolled spilled over the edges of a ten-foot table. She was a lifetime member of the Matagorda Co. Historical Museum Board, as well as the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas, serving as President from 1966-67. She was a lifelong member and devoted supporter of St John's Episcopal Church, Palacios.
She is survived by: daughter Adelaide Carter and her husband Gary, daughter Sally, son Jonathan, his wife Anna-Maria, and their daughter Jennifer.
She is also survived by her dear sister Naomi Brown.
She is lovingly remembered by all who knew her as a remarkable woman and will be sorely missed.
Memorial Service: St Mark's Episcopal Church, Bay City, at 11 am on Thursday, August 19, with Dr. Jim Ely officiating. Burial will follow at Hawley Cemetery. pallbearers will be: Fred Brown, James Drew, John Harrison, Lee Edward Pierce, Harley Robinson, and Logic Tobola. Honorary pallbearers will be: Preston Bolton, Guy Claybourn, Jim Lovett, Frances Parker, Lee Hall Pierce, and Michael Pierce Jr.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 18th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Blessing Historical Foundation or St. John's Episcopal Church of Palacios.