Carolyn Pierce

I am sad to announce that my Mother, Carolyn Pierce passed away on Friday April 3, 2026 at about 7:21 am. She had been battling complications from pneumonia and it was finally too much for her. My Mother had a lot of medical problems over the years and she was ready to be reunited with her husband, who had died too soon twenty eight years previously. And their many dogs that should await in heaven as well.

Carolyn Gayle Farris was born in a country house in rural Nauvoo Alabama on August 17, 1940. I imagine it was a hot summer day. She was the first daughter of Oda Mae Bonner Farris and John Morgan Farris. Her parents relocated to Birmingham, Alabama where Morgan worked in the steel mills. He was killed in a tragic accident at work which changed everything.

Oda Mae moved back to Walker County to be near her relatives and raise her two children, Carolyn 4 and Larry 2 years old. Several years later Oda Mae married again and the family relocated to Lakeland, Florida. In Lakeland, Carolyn attended school and started a career as a legal secretary. When time allowed the family would return to Walker County to see relatives. On one such summer Carolyn encountered Ronel Pierce, fell in love and they got married. Ronel and Carolyn settled in Birmingham where she worked as a secretary and he worked in the coal mines. They shortly bought a little house in Hueytown, Alabama and in 1965 had their only son, Gregory.

Carolyn was a wiz at sewing, loved decorating and was a really good cook. She took good care of her family and went to work at the District Attorneys office in Bessemer once Greg was mostly grown up. Gregory grew up to be an architect in New Orleans. Carolyn and Ronel looked forward to a long retirement with lots of travel. Unfortunately, Ronel died of a brain tumor before his 65 birthday. Carolyn went on to travel the world, which was one of her favorite things. She loved taking care of, and spoiling, her niece’s children like they were her grandchildren. Carolyn relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast to be near her son in 2019. We had some good times with family during various holidays there.

She is survived by her only son, Gregory. Her brother Larry, Robb and Amy Delaney, Chris, Mackensie, and Keegan. Amanda and Jeff Sims, Lauren and Emily. Cousin Renee Palmer and many others. She loved her family quite a lot.

At her request there will be a grave side service at Walker Memory Gardens on April 11, 2026 at 2:00 pm. She requested that in lieu of flowers a donation could be made to the local animal rescue Ruff or Shelter House in Walton County for abused women.