Mattie Debra Jackson Pierce

Sister Mattie was born to the late Ernest Harris II and the late Lillie Mae Bush. She was born in Sassa, Ga., on July 30, 1962, and raised in Tarpon Springs, Fla., by the late Wilbert and Henrietta Register. Also, she was reared by the late Mr. Frank Copeland and the late Webster Copeland and the late Mae Bell Brown. She graduated from Lowndes High School in the class of 1980. She received her AA Degree from Valdosta Technical School in 2006. She was employed at Propex Farbric and Fiber for 26 years, and she retired in 2007. She started her own business with a close friend Juanita Burks “A Touch of Elegance.” She was an administration assistance at Southside Recreation Center. At a young age she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church and after marriage she moved her membership to be with her husband to Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was a member of the young adult choir, assistance director of the youth choir, and the financial clerk of Shady Grove. She was united in holy matrimony to Steve Pierce on Aug. 20, 1988, and to this union three children were born. She was preceded in death by one sister Beverly Bush, father-in-law, Deacon A.V. Pierce, and sister-in-law, Brenda McCormick. She leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband of 20 years, Steve Pierce of Hahira; three children, Delmetria Covington (Levert), and Maya Pierce, all of Hahira, A.B. Steven Pierce, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas; she also helped raised Maurey Copeland (Kathy) of Fresno, Calif. and Israel Brown (Barbara) of Atlanta; a loving step mother, Betty Register, Valdosta; 10 sisters, Brenda Bush of Riverview, Fla., Joanna Flowers, Tarpon Springs, Fla., Joyce Flowers, Riverview, Fla., Julia Mae Day, Rebecca Harris, Alfredia Harris, Jennie Harris, all of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Bonita Williams, Dallas, Texas, Wilhemina Register, Atlanta, Rose Felton (Jeffery), Miami, Fla.; four brothers, Lorenzo Flowers (Debra), Issac Flowers (Nina), Ernest Harris, Jr., all of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and Wilbert Register, Jr., Valdosta; mother-in-law, Naomi Pierce, Hahira; three sisters-in-law, Margaret McQueen (Freddie), Hahira, Barbara Taylor (Calvin), San Antonio, Texas, Wilma Moore (Kenneth), Atlanta; two brothers-in-law, Alvin Pierce (Carolyn), Savannah, and Leon Pierce, Valdosta; two special aunts, Mary Alice Daniels, Valdosta, Hariett Carter, Hahira; and a special uncle, Floyd Carter of Hahira; godparents, Supt. Elder Arletha and Missionary Gladys Sermons of Hahira; one god daughter, Annie Clark of Valdosta; special friends, Juanita Burks, Gail Gaskin, Janice Tippins, Jackie Hill; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends. Funeral service will be held today, Jan. 3, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Norman Edwards, Pastor and the Rev. L.B. Robinson will be officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. — Scott And Roberts Mortuary