ROSS H. PIERCE

Ross H. Pierce Ross H. Pierce, 90, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Drew Vestal Pierce and Sylvia King and was born in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 19, 1923. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Pierce. Ross was a United States Army veteran, having served in the European Theatre during World War II. After his service in the military, he worked for the TVA. In 1946 Ross began his career in the retail floral business in Knoxville. In 1953, he was a co-founder of Tennessee Florist Supply Inc., where he served as president/CEO until 2000. He moved to Bristol in 1956 and opened Tennessee Florist Supply of Bristol. He was also one of the founders of Tennessee Wholesale Florist in Chattanooga, Tenn., in the late 1950s. He was presented the Honorary Presidential Award on the White House lawn by Jimmy Carter in 1978 for his work and contribution to the floral industry. Ross served on the Board of Wholesale Florist and Florist Suppliers of America (WF&FSA). He was a member of the Board of Directors of The Society of American Florist (SAF). He served as president of TFS/ Roanoke Incorporated. He was the founder of Americana Incorporated. Ross was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Master's Lodge No. 244 in Knoxville. He was also a member of the Kerbela and Jericho Shrine Temples. Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Lavena Holt Pierce; son, Dennis Holt Pierce and wife, Nancy, of Piney Flats, Tenn.; grandchildren, Laura Marinn Pierce of Fresno, Calif.; Drew Harrison Pierce and wife, Brooke, of Piney Flats; Katherine Denise Fillers and husband, Zack, of Piney Flats; and great grandsons, Cash McKinley Pierce, Brenton Tyler Fillers and Bray Wesley Pierce. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory. The funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. with Pastor Joseph Manis officiating. The eulogy will be provided by Mr. Don Godsey and Mr. Ron Buchanan. The committal and entombment service will be conducted at 12 noon on Friday, May 10, 2013, in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Tenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Godsey, Ron Buchanan, Mike Tallent, Joe Holt, Drew Pierce and Zack Fillers. Everyone will meet at the cemetery at 11:50 a.m. on Friday. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Arrangements especially for Mr. Pierce and his family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.