Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

February 14, 1937 – July 14, 2025

Kinston-Mrs. Katherine Gainus Pierce, 88, took her Savior's hand on July 14, 2025 to finish her journey. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband, Don L. Pierce, a World War II veteran formerly of Parkersburg, West Virginia who was employed as a radio and TV broadcaster for many years.

Katherine was born on February 14, 1937 to the late Thurman Gainus and Tessie Williams Gainus Quinn of Kinston. She had two sisters and a brother, all deceased.

Katherine is survived by one son, Wade Harrison; and two daughters, Karen Smith and Sandy Rouse. She leaves three grandsons: Chad Harper and his son, Noah of Winterville; Waylon Harrison and his daughter, Charlotte; and Raven Smith of Kinston. A fourth grandson, Billie Harper, is deceased. She also leaves three granddaughters: Kathryn Bumgarner and her children, Reese, Courtland, and Reagan, Nicole Harrison and her sons Luke, Laken, and Mason, and Hillary Langley, all of Kinston.

Katherine is survived by an extended family, Donnie Pierce of Coldsprings, TX and his two sons, Philip of Houston, TX; and Barett and his son, Cameron of Auston, TX; two daughters, Jordan of Aurora CO; Julianna and her two daughters, Kathryn and Anna France of Collierville, TN.

Katherine was a retired C.N.A. II, E.C.G. Monitor Tech and a state-certified phlebotomist. She was active in church, taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. In 2003 and 2006, she was inducted into Southwood High School Hall of Fame, given the Personal Achievement Award and the Humanitarian Award. She became an artist in 2008 and later donated paintings to raise money for cancer research and UNC and Dr. Musk. She was a member of Harves Connection Disaster Relief Team of Kinston and volunteered in Mississippi and North Carolina storms. Katherine was a published poet and short story writer, seven-year member of Neuse E.C.A. of Lenoir County, six-year member of Southwood Ruritan club, and a 2014 Ruritan member of the year. Katherine was also a volunteer for 20 years, making items for our military overseas and at home. In 2013, she formed Compassion Hands at Gordon Street Christian Church, making much needed items for heart and cancer patients. Her hard work went to The Brody School of Medicine for Children, UNC-Chapel Hill Hospital, the Cancer Center in Kinston, and many other cancer patients at home.

Katherine lived with bone cancer for over sixteen years, as well as kidney failure, anemia, lung disease, heart disease, autoimmune disease and, after all of these, Katherine kept on giving.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Gainus Turner Family Cemetery on Seth Turner Road near Pink Hill.

Katherine leaves a very dedicated grandson, youth minister at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Winterville, Chad Harper; and a "God-sent" dedicated friend and neighbor, Susan Oliver Moore.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.