Susie Mae Cain Pierce

Susie Mae Cain Pierce, 93, passed away on September 13, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born on September 6, 1932, to Jesse David Cain and Birdie Ray Cain. Except for her college years and her first year of marriage, she lived her entire life on the same parcel of land in the Old Laurel Community (also known as Devil's Pocket).

She graduated from Deweyville High School in 1950, where she was known for her skill on the basketball court. In 1953, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Stephen F. Austin State College. That same month, she married William Seibert Pierce of Orange, and they had two daughters. Susie often said that she had wanted to be a teacher for as long as she could remember. She taught school for 3 years in Little Cypress, 2 years in Buna, and 31 years in Deweyville. She continued teaching after the death of her husband in 1983, retiring in 1991 after a 36-year career in education.

Retirement did not slow her down. She embraced new hobbies she had always dreamed of pursuing. She took ballroom dance lessons, and for the first time in her life, owned her very own horse. With her beloved horse, Dusty, she rode with a drill team at parades and rodeos and competed in team penning events from Buna to the Houston NRG Arena. She was a member of the Southeast Texas Team Penning Association and an honorary lifetime member of the Buna Bridle Club.

Susie also dedicated herself to her community. She served as a commissioner for the Devil's Pocket Volunteer Fire Department and was a long-time member and Sunday School teacher at Old Laurel Baptist Church.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Susie will be remembered most for her remarkable personality. She was deeply loyal to those she loved, always ready to lend a helping hand. Free-spirited and full of life, she delighted in cracking jokes and had a laugh so contagious it could brighten anyone's day. A lover of nature, she found joy in planting flowers and caring for her land. Her love for animals was evident throughout her life, and she extended her compassion not only to people but to every creature she cared for.

Susie is survived by her daughters, Debra Pierce of Port Neches and Sherry Pierce of Devil's Pocket; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Fuentes of Port Arthur, Ryan Pierce-Budwine of Austin, Erin Pierce-Budwine of The Woodlands, and Lincoln Hammond of Austin, as well as numerous extended family members and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her beloved horse, Dusty.

Following cremation, a Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Central Baptist Church in Buna. Visitation with family and friends will be at 2:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Southeast Texas Food Bank or your local animal shelter.