Odessa Pierce

Services for Odessa Pierce, 93 of Kilgore will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Brothers Richard Crawford and Bradley Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Gary Cemetery in Gary, Texas. Mrs. Pierce completed her earthly journey on Thursday, January 2, 2020, in Longview. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 7 from 10:00 ~ 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to service.

Odessa was born on November 20, 1926 in Caledonia Community near Garrison, Texas to the late Marvin Skelton and Nannie Harriet Long Skelton. Mrs. Pierce will be missed by all those who knew her because she never met a stranger and was always willing to help someone in need. She was happiest when spending time with her family-especially with her beloved grandchildren. They were the joys of her life. She also found great pleasure in quilting, making several hand-crafted quilts for each child and grandchild. Odessa has been a faithful member of Kilgore Missionary Baptist Church since 1987.

She was preceded in death by one great grandson, Kaleb Brantley, three brothers and two sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, James M. Pierce and wife Karen of Kilgore; daughters, Margaret Templin and husband John of DeQuincey, Louisiana and Barbara Butler and husband Bill of Burleson, Texas; grandchildren, Brian Pierce and wife Mary Beth, Jared Pierce and wife Kristen, Kim Brantley, Kelly Templin, Karla Wood and husband Billy, Jason Butler and wife Patricia and Brandy Butler; ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family members.