Frances J. Smith Pierce

PIERCE, Frances J. Smith Was born July 28, 1928 in Texarkana, TX the eldest of the three children born to Joseph Francis Smith and Irene Perry Smith. Her parents taught her by example to live a Christian life pleasing to God. She settled in Cambridge, MA and was married to Charles Pierce for 39 years and blessed with 3 children. A licensed beautician, she co-owned Debbie's Beauty Salon for 50 years. "The Shop" became the place to share and receive service. Their motto - "We don't just do hair we do prayer." Her personal motto and practice was "each one teach one." Devoted mother, community activist, peacemaker, educator, counselor, mentor and the spiritual mother to many, she matriculated at Cambridge College and Harvard University, earned a M. Ed. Degree, and taught elementary education. Crowned Queen Mother by the elders in Ghana, West Africa, she was a well-loved member of St. Paul A.M E. Church for over 30 years. Upon moving to Durham, NC, she joined Monument of Faith Church. Recipient of The Harriet Wigfall Award for Community Service 1987; Clorae Evereteze Award 1989; The Jean Burton Award for Public Service 2000; The Peace and Justice Award 2006 and countless others. In 2008, The City of Cambridge named her street corner "Queen Mother Frances Pierce Square" on Concord Ave and Chilton Street and she was featured in the documentary The Black Candle narrated by Dr. Maya Angelou. At her home on March 29, 2011 at 5:30 AM she made a peaceful transition into the land of God's love with dignity, courage and a life well-lived. She was surrounded by her loving children, Dr. Robin Burnett her physician, Beth Plonk her hospice nurse, as well as her Pastor Bishop Clarence Laney, Jr. She was blessed by and is survived by her beloved children Melvin and Pat Branner-Hill Pierce, Nnenna and Phil Freelon, and Debbie Pierce, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grand children, a sister Deborah Anderson of Cambridge, MA, nieces, nephews, extended family and many spiritual daughters and sons. Arrangements by Scarborough Hargett Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Monument of Faith Church, P.O. Box 827, 900 Simmons St., Durham, NC 27702. A memorial celebration of her life is planned for May, 2011 in Durham, NC. More specific information is forthcoming.