CALAIS – JoAnn Ayers Pierce passed away unexpectedly Sept. 12, 2007, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Dec. 25, 1934, in Anderson County, S.C., to Lloyd Thomas and Eunice (Sheridan) Ayers and raised by Lloyd and Esterine “Mama” Ayers. She had three sisters and one brother. JoAnn lived most of her younger years in Greenville, S.C., graduating from Parker High School in 1953. During her childhood, she and her family were members of Monaghan Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C. She married George W. Pierce Jr. in 1955, having four children together. She was a very loving and attentive mother, being very involved in her children’s education, school activities, and daily life. In 1973, the family moved to Maine and soon after bought Grand Lake Lodge, Grand Lake Stream. JoAnn loved running the lodge with her husband and children, and especially enjoyed meeting the fisherman and families who stayed at the lodge. After owning the lodge for several years, JoAnn moved back to Greenville, S.C. There she worked in various restaurants and eventually worked at Furman University. She loved working with the students and taking her grandchildren there for ice cream and to feed the ducks. She had four grandchildren who called her “Grandnan.” She retired and was able to travel between Maine and Florida spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and four great-grand-children. While in Maine, she enjoyed attending services led by Pastor Trott at Woodland Baptist Church and especially enjoyed her daily visits from Pastor Hinton at Washington Place. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought much joy to her and each had a special bond with her. Family she has gone to meet in heaven are her father and stepmother, mother; sister, Lillian and husband, Chuck Fletcher; brother, Bobby Ray Ayers; brother-in-law, Kenneth Busbee; and a very dear son, George “Whitty” Pierce III. JoAnn “Grandnan” “Aunt Jo” will always be remembered by her siblings, Artie and husband, Dickie Hughes, and Nell Busbee; and sister-in-law, Shirley Ayers, all from South Carolina; her children, David Pierce of Bradenton, Fla., Bruce Pierce of Calais, and Lynn and her husband, James Howard, of Crawford; her former daughter-in-law, Robin Pierce of Bradenton, Fla.; former son-in-law, Timothy Goode of Meddybemps; her grandchildren, Heather and husband, Darrin Hamilton, of Calais, Amber Pierce and fianc?, Nathan Tyler, of Bradenton, Fla., Jennifer Goode of Meddybemps, and Bridgett Pierce of Bradenton, Fla.; her great-grandchildren, Bayleigh, Nathan II, Tova, and Benjamin; and nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. There will be a memorial service 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Woodland Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in JoAnn’s memory to your charity of choice.
JOANN AYERS PIERCE
