Mary Collier Pierce's Obituary
Mary Collier Pierce passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on the morning of August 16, 2018 after a lengthy illness that she withstood with dignity and an unthwarted positive outlook.
Mary was born the fourth of six children to Bobby and Alice Collier on October 27, 1959 in Longview, TX. The large Collier family, always close and routinely gathering, was such a delight for Mary. She was known by all for her uncanny sense of humor, beautiful smile, and her way with children. While attending Longview High School, Mary was an LHS Viewette and had many friends that she remained close with into her adult life. After graduation, Mary attended UT Arlington – and readily admitted with a laugh, that she attended only her bowling classes. Nevertheless, she went on to have a successful career in banking, working for over twenty years as a teller, loan officer and escrow officer, before becoming disabled with Multiple Sclerosis.
Always very artistic, Mary loved drawing, painting, and sketching. She was very creative and crafty, always handmaking her children’s costumes for school functions and Halloween. She loved to play cards, especially spades. Nothing was better than a good laugh or to get a laugh from someone. She was friendly to all she came across and never met a stranger. As Mary’s illness overwhelmed her mobility, she was unable to be active in her home church, First United Methodist Church of Longview. Despite her decline in health, Mary purposed herself to draw near to the Lord, and prayer was her constant friend.
More than anything in this world, the light of Mary’s life were her two children. After marriage, Amber Pierce (Shepperd) was born in 1981 and son, Andrew Pierce, followed in 1985. Mary adored her children and was so proud of each of their accomplishments. After her granddaughters arrived in her life, little Debra, Vanessa, and Abbygail gave her a renewed sense of purpose, despite her disability.
Mary is survived by her beloved children and grandchildren, Amber Shepperd, and son-in-law, Aaron; son - Andrew Pierce; and grandchildren – Debra, Vanessa and Abby Shepperd. Mary loved profoundly her daddy, Bobby Collier, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her mother, Alice Collier, who has been Mary’s biggest fan throughout her life. Also left to cherish Mary’s memory are brothers Robert Collier and wife Teresa; Johnny Collier and wife Carole; Kyle Collier and wife Martha; Glenn Collier and wife Rhetta, all of Longview; and one beloved sister, Katey Harvey and husband J.T. of Plano. She is also survived by her uncles Joe and Pat Collier; Aunt Doris Collier, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary would not want anyone to mourn her death, but rather rejoice in the fact that according to God’s promise, she has a new body and can walk again! She longed to meet her Heavenly Father and to be reunited with her earthly Father, and the wait is over. And in keeping with Mary’s awesome sense of humor, it would be a disservice if we did not fulfill Mary’s last request to give a shout out to ATT/DIRECTV for the years of torture she would say they put her through. We are certain that she switched services upon arrival in Heaven…
A Celebration of Life service presided by Rev. Jay Jackson will be held in the Chapel at Rader Funeral Home in Longview at 3:00 pm on Monday, August 20, 2018. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 2-3pm. A private family inurnment will be held at Memory Park in Longview at a later date.
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