A. E. "Peter" Pierce

Early in the morning of May 24th,2025, A.E. “Peter” Pierce’s faith became his sight as he peacefully accepted his Lord’s invitation to “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He transitioned to eternity while asleep beside his wife, Grace, of nearly 69 years at his home in Helena, where they raised their children, grandchildren and anyone else who needed the steadfast love of a warm family (and the best cooking in Mississippi).

Born February 23,1935, Peter was a lifelong resident of the Helena community and attended Moss Point High School. He served honorably as a cook in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was discharged as a Specialist 3 (T) while stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. While in the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Peter returned home in 1956 and met his lifelong love, Helen Grace Elkins Pierce at his “Welcome Home” Party, hosted by his friend, Esther Moore Rockwell. They married on August 3rd, 1956. The following spring, Peter and Grace welcomed their daughter, Teresa, followed by their son, Danny, four years later. Over the years, Peter made a living for his family as a heavy equipment operator at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Vice Construction, Jackson County Road Department and was the owner/operator of Gulf Coast Fuel. In 1982, he was elected to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, where he served with integrity for six years.

In 1963, shortly after Grace surrendered her life to Christ, Peter was led to the Lord by Pastor E.L. Stewart and walked with Jesus for the rest of his life. He and Grace raised their children and grandchildren at Escatawpa Assembly of God, where they were charter members and remained committed. Escatawpa Assembly of God was Peter’s second home. He served on the board, as Sunday School Superintendent, landscaper, men’s softball coach, and anywhere else there was a need (other than the choir- he’d tell you he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket). For the last decade of his life, he spent every Wednesday and Friday morning with his buddy, John Holder, gathering food from all over the coast for the church’s food pantry. Late last summer, his granddaughter drove by and caught him working high upon the roof and tattled to her grandmother and his doctor. Even after his diagnosis, he mowed the church’s grass and that of local widows until his body was no longer able. After his death, we learned that he’d been having a friend drive him around to visit people he hadn’t seen at church in a while to tell them they were missed and talk to them about the love of Jesus. Sometimes he would talk about the man he was before he found Jesus, a rambler and a fighter, who went down swinging. He became a new creation in Christ, who went down serving until the very end.

Peter’s family was the treasure of his life and he spent all of his free time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called him “Papa.” He coached their little league teams, took them with him to hunt and fish and passed along his love for the Ole Miss Rebels and the

Atlanta Braves. He rarely missed a ballgame or a school concert or church play. He kept the pool clean for his “grandbabies” (no matter how old they were) and a cold watermelon in the refrigerator. Christmas morning was his favorite day of the year, where he would use the cooking skills he learned in the Army to cook Christmas breakfast for the whole family and anyone else who needed the steadfast love of a warm family on Christmas. Each year, before the blessing, he would tell us he is the most blessed man on earth because he had the assurance we would spend eternity together in Heaven.

Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd “Dub” Pierce and Frances Evelyn “Dixie” Pierce; a brother, Louis Vice; and a grandson, Dustin Eugene Pierce.

He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Grace (Elkins) Pierce; his children, Teresa (Gene) Emswiler, and Danny (Pam) Pierce; a sister, Mary Agnes (Ronnie) Carpenter; his grandchildren, Andrea (Chris) Sherman, Lauren (Michael) Watson, Heath (Rachell) Pierce, Ashley (Josh) Pierce, Jesse (Krista) Pierce, and Leah Daughdrill; and his great-grandchildren, Alex Hardwick, Bella Sherman, Gracie Pierce Watson, Parker Pierce, Abby Pierce, Annie Watson, Emmalyn Pierce, Tanner Sherman, Logan Pierce, Cora Beth Watson, Charlie Pierce, Lane Pierce, Parker Williams and Jaxon Williams.

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Donnie Rouse and Sharla Holder for your cherished friendship and tender caregiving in the last months of Peter’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Mercy House Ministries, P.O. Box 792, Hurley, MS 39555 or Adult and Teen Challenge of Mississippi, P.O. Box 188, Poplarville, MS 39470.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. at The Vine Ministries, 7405 Hwy 613, Moss Point, MS 39563. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2025, in the church sanctuary. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Helena.

Arrangements are being handled by the Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County.