Rev. James H. Pierce Jr.

James H. Pierce Jr., affectionately known to his family as "Sandy", was born June 20, 1947 to Gertrude R. Williams Pierce and the late James H. Pierce Sr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, departed this life on October 30, 2009. James was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System. James joined Mt. Zion AME Church of Devon, PA. on Easter Sunday, 1958. He loved to sing and was a member of the choir, Y.P.D., Junior Ushers and Sunday school. He enlisted in the army in January of 1966 and served in Panama and Vietnam. He served in the United States Army Special Forces-Green Beret for three and one-half years with Honorable Discharge in 1969. The Bronze Star was awarded for excessive bravery under hostile enemy fire while on a mission in Northern Province of South Vietnam in 1967. Rev. Pierce received the Purple Heart with Cluster for being wounded twice while serving in Vietnam. He was one of the first Black persons to serve on the late President John F. Kennedy's Green Beret Team. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, football (Pittsburgh Stealers), basketball and jogging. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, James moved to Virginia and became involved in the community life in Fredericksburg and Caroline County. Reverend Pierce was called to preach the gospel in August 1979, at the First Baptist Church of Love in Fredericksburg, Va. under the leadership of Rev. Richard W. Green. Reverend Pierce was licensed in November, 1979, to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ at the First Baptist Church of Love Fredericksburg, Va. On July 1990, he was ordained as the Youth and Young Adult Minister and Pastoral Assistance of the St. James Baptist Church, Milford, Va. Reverend Pierce served as Youth Minister at the Oak Grove Baptist Church, Widewater, Va. under the direction of Reverend Robert E. Bumbrey for four years. In 1984, he received his Associates Degree in Applied Science at Germanna Community College. In 1995, after serving under the guidance of God and the direction of Reverend Baugham, he called to pastor the First Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Dawn, Va., where he served faithfully as pastor until June 2004. Under Reverend Pierce's guidance, and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, a new church was built to accommodate the growing body of Christ at First Mt. Calvary where many people came to know Christ and continue to serve the Lord faithfully there. In 1996, Reverend Pierce attended the School of Theology at Virginia Union University to continue his spiritual studies. He attended the Fredericksburg Bible Institute in Fredericksburg, VA. where he received his Associate degree in Bible Studies. He also attended the Washington Bible College, Triangle Campus located at the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Quantico, VA, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Frederick Jones and the instruction of Rev. Charles Lundy. He also attended the Smith-Evans Bible Institute in Richmond, VA. Rev. Pierce studied Church Administration under the direction of his pastor, the Rev. Charles F. Baugham, Sr. Reverend Pierce loved to fish, hunt, and travel. He would fish all day with his fishing buddies, and was a member of the Hunt Club in Dawn and enjoyed the fellowship of all its members. He loved to travel to sunny places such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Patrice Pierce; his mother, Gertrude Pierce; three sisters Paulette Ware, Gwendolyn Gibbs (Rick); and Deborah Pierce, and one brother, Stevie Childs (Trish); his children, Trent; Robert; Michael Sr. (Sylvia); and Anthony who preceded him in death; Kimberly; Shawn; Adreka (Lloyd Sr.); Monique; Ashiya; and Kesha (Brian Sr.); sixteen grandchildren, Ashley; Kiara; Jessica; Michelle; KeCharna; DeVaughn; Michael Jr.; Shekeia; Brian Jr.; Khalil; Lloyd Jr.; Nicholas, Isaiah; Adarius; Briana; Mekhi; and Essynce; and one great-grand daughter, Kamari. He is also survived by three his uncles, Alonzo Williams, Richard Williams and Ralph Williams; his mother-in-law, Bessie White, one brother in law, Joseph White and two sister in laws, Angela White and Regina Brown. Two very special cousins Doreen Love, Cynthia Adkins and host of cousins, family, and friends. "A chapter completed, a page turned, a life well-lived and a rest well earned"