Jacqueline Hazelline Pierce

96 years of life for Jacqueline Hazelline Smith Pierce ended on June 5, 2025 in Madison Ms.
Jacqueline, aka Jackie or Jack, was born April 1, 1929 to parents Laura Leigh Ross Smith and William Clifton Smith: she was one of 9 amazing children.
Jackie was a lifelong student and studied at Millsaps College. Jackson Ms.
ETSU in northeast Tennessee and Columbia in NYC, working toward her masters in English. Her final degree was in Law from Mississippi College and she practiced law for many years in Jackson MS.
Moving from Jackson to Kingsport Tn in 1963, Jackie taught English and English Literature at Dobyns Bennett High School until 1974 when a move back to Jackson changed her life course, graduating from law school in 1976.
Preceded in death by Jim Pierce, husband of 65 years, sister La Rita Mixon, and brothers Bill Smith, George Smith; family left behind includes Daughters Jeannie Updike (Jimmy), Starkville MS. Roxanne Salvo (Paul), Madison MS, Phoebe Overbay (Gary) Kingsport TN, grandchildren Mark Overbay(Megan). Olivia Clupny (Jesh), Patrick Updike, April Boteler( Drew), Anna Edelstein (Adam), and 8 great grandchildren. Jackie's living brothers and sisters are Daphne Shaw. Sarah Sheffield, Laura Levitt, brothers Perrin Smith and Russell Smith, and nieces and nephews.
Though cooking was not high on her list, Jackie made a mean gumbo and great fried chicken! Reading was what she loved to do, especially biographies, political books and religious themes. She served on an Advisory Committee under President Ronald Reagan, worked with the Mississippi Legislature in authoring the State's child pornography statutes. She also enjoyed her time at First Baptist Church in Jackson, teaching Sunday Schoo to Chinese families and became close friends with several families. One family she befriended and taught named her daughter Phoebe to honor Jackie.