Kay Pierce

Mary Kay (Balle) Pierce, best known as Kay, died peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Kay was born November 22, 1941, in Maryville, Missouri, to Margaret and Henry (Hank) Balle, Jr. She was their only child. Kay grew up in Tarkio, Missouri, where she was active in all the things small town living in the 1940s and 50s provided. She was a Girl Scout and a member of the Tarkio Christian Church. She grew up playing the piano, clarinet, and saxophone. She graduated from Tarkio High School as her class Salutatorian and went on to graduate from Tarkio College with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. Kay moved to Kansas City where she was employed as a research scientist working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Kansas Medical Center. While living in Kansas City, Kay met her future husband, Roger Pierce. The two married in November 1969. They welcomed their first daughter, Dawn, in 1972 followed by another daughter, Denise, in 1977. After the birth of her second daughter, Kay chose to stay home to raise her girls. In 1981, the family moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, when Roger opened his own business. Kay was very active in her daughters' lives and the local community. Like lots of parents, she spent countless hours assisting with homework assignments and school projects. For her many years volunteering with the PTA at her daughters' schools, she was awarded an honorary lifetime membership with the Texas PTA. Kay was a Girl Scout mom, a booster club mom, and, occasionally, a substitute teacher. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Trailwood United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie. Kay also served as a poll worker for numerous city, state, and federal elections. When her girls were grown, Kay went back to work spending more than 20 years as an employee for the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Kay loved to cook and bake and shared that joy with her daughters. She was always up for a challenge in the kitchen, even if it didn't always go as planned but instead devolved into humorous memories. She enjoyed reading and gardening, too. In their younger years, Kay and Roger spent many summers water skiing on the lake with their friends. They also liked to travel and go fishing when they had the time throughout their marriage.
Kay was an exceptionally kind and generous person. She helped care for countless pets her daughters had over the years, such as dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, and horses. She graciously opened her heart and her home to countless strays that her family brought in be they the 4-legged, furry kind or the 2-legged, human kind. She was curious, and silly, and playful, and always willing to lend an ear or a hand to help. Kay exhibited quiet strength and fortitude as evidenced by her many years struggle with dementia and surviving a 2-time battle with breast cancer.
Kay was known in her family as having a massive sweet tooth. She was a bit of a cookie monster and never turned down a dessert. Sometimes, a meal for her was a Dairy Queen Blizzard. It was quite the running joke among her children and their families.
In addition to her daughters, Dawn Young and Denise Adams, Kay leaves behind sons-in-law, Clint Young and David Adams; and grandchildren, Lillith Young, Grayson Adams, and Laurel Adams. All of whom will miss her immensely.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staffs of Cedar Bluff Assisted Living and Memory Care located in Mansfield, Texas, and Gateway Hospice Providers in Burleson, Texas, for their commitment and care to Kay and her family.
Graveside services will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:15 in the morning at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. The family is hosting a brunch in celebration of Kay's memory immediately following the service. Please join them at 360 Brunch House located at 3550 East Broad Street, Suite 120, in Mansfield, Texas 76063.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Kay's memory be made to any charity of choice or one of the following that holds meaning for Kay and her family: Dallas Scottish Rite for Children Hospital, Alzheimer's Association, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, CURE Epilepsy.