Ms. Melba Pierce was born in Homer Georgia on October 18, 1924 to the late Charlie and Gussie Pierce. She departed this life on August 11, 2019, following an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Alice Pierce and two brothers, John D. and Charles Pierce.
She joined the Black Springs Baptist Church at an early age. She was a faithful member until her health began to fail. She loved the Lord and enjoyed listening to gospel music. Her all time favorite singer was Shirley Ceasar and she enjoyed watching Billy Graham on TV.
The Woman – Ms. Pierce traveled the country performing domestic duties. She often told her family about various states that she once resided. She lived in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for a period of time. Ms. Pierce always loved to dress nice and enjoyed working for a local dress shop when she moved to Gainesville. She was a woman of great stature and she had an appreciation for the finer things in life. She was known to be a woman of class. She was also very family oriented. In her later years she enjoyed caring for her nieces, nephews, and others in the community where she resided. Caring for family was always the driving force in her life and that is why family returned the kind gesture when her health began to fail. In her leisure she enjoyed watching TV shows such as The Price Is Right, Family Feud, Lets Make a Deal, and watching the local news with her sister Lula Pierce.
The Mother - Ms. Melba Pierce shared a special bond with her only son and daughter-in-love, George and Bernadine Hardnett. She would find great excitement when the two of them would come to Gainesville and take her to family events. Her mood and face would always light up when she saw her beloved son George enter the room. He was her most prized possession and she always made sure he was well taken care of. She put the M in Mother! She later moved into the home with her son and daughter-in-love and they continued to care for her until she gained her beautiful wings.
The Sister – Ms. Pierce was the oldest of ten children. She loved her siblings dearly and the bond they shared was most definitely unbreakable. When she spoke, they all listened. She spoke with a voice that commanded all the attention in the room. She had select sisters that she would accept guidance from and select sisters that she gave direction to. Her sister Betty was her personal hairdresser and her sisters Frances and Lula ran all of her errands. She always knew that Odessa, Ruby, and Ida were one call away. Her baby sisters have definitely taken great care of her. To watch them all gather and talk has been our biggest high lights as a family.
The Aunt - She had a love so genuine and was passed the torch to be the matriarch for the Pierce family about thirty-three years ago. “Aunt Melba Lee” cared for her nieces and nephews as if they were her biological children. She had very unique bonds with three of her nephews, Tyrone Pierce, Teffany Pierce, and Joseph Williams. Two of Aunt Melba’s nieces and one nephew was fortunate to grow up in the home with her, Ronald Pierce, Peggy Johnson, and Sallie Glasper. She played a significant role in their upbringing. She always wanted to be updated on all of her nieces and nephews accomplishments and would often reward them. Although she would always remind them that she didn’t have any money, she would somehow manage to find some.
She leaves to cherish her memories one son and daughter-in-love George (Bernadine) Hardnett of College Park, Georgia; Two grandchildren, Eric (Tangee) Hardnett of Hampton, Georgia, Sharon Hardnett of College Park, Georgia; Two great grandchildren: Myosha Westbrooks of Nashville, Tennessee, Eric Hardnett Jr. of Hampton, Georgia; Six sisters: Ida Wise, Ruby Brawner, Odessa Richie, Frances Wiley, Lula Pierce, and Betty Chester, all of Gainesville, Georgia and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Antioch Baptist Church, 1010 Mill Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2019 at Wimberly Funeral Home, 325 Summit Street, Gainesville between the hours of 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.
