"Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3

Mr. Herman C. Pierce, age 66, departed this life on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, peacefully at his home. He was a native of Surry County, born August 22, 1948, to the late Edward and Jessie Pierce, on the very property that he currently lived.

He is preceded in death by his wife of forty-two years Ethel Mae Walter Pierce, his parents Edward C. and Jessie L. Pierce, paternal grandparents Johnnie and Lillie Pierce, maternal grandparents Burrell and Martha Evans, and a sister Hylon Pierce.

Herman confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at Jerusalem Baptist Church Waverly, Virginia. He was educated in Surry County Public School System. Herman joined the United States Army in 1968 serving as a field medic, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam. After completing his military service, he returned to the town of his youth and married the woman he considered to be the "finest thing in the big town of Dendron, Ethel Mae Walter." From their forty-two year union, four children were born.

Herman worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding, construction sites in Williamsburg and on August 19, 1988, he went to work for the Surry County Public School System's custodial department. During his twenty-six year tenure he was promoted to the maintenance department supervisor. Under the leadership of Superintendent Laverne Daniels, Herman was selected to attend Thomas Nelson Community College. He obtained his associate's degree in general studies and a certificate in HVAC. Herman, who at the time was a young fifty-four, graduated from his college studies with honors. He recently retired from Surry County Public Schools effective January 1, 2015. In his eyes not one of his grandchildren could do wrong and everyone in the school system knew not to raise their voice at Mr. Pierce's grandchildren.

Herman enjoyed many things in his spare time but never allowed anyone to plan his day. We could ask him, "Daddy what you gonna do today?" and he would reply "I don't plan to do anything and I'm not looking for anything to do." He enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking and grocery shopping. A trip to Wakefield was not complete without stopping at the local grocery store. He enjoyed reading, watching westerns, all the CSI's, and his favorite Sunday morning show was Pastor Gino Jennings, the Old Troublemaker.

His most valuable collection was his Miami Dolphin paraphernalia, he would say "don't get rid of it because fifty years from now and I'm gone, it's gonna be worth something. You know it's always going to be Florida sunshine in this house. His love for the team never waivered no matter how bad a season they had.

Herman was a man of few words and had a very strong sentimental weakness for his grandchildren. Yet he possessed this uncanny ability to never show stress under any amount of pressure. He had a few sayings, two of which were; "That people rarely shocked him, they want what they want and they don't care about you" and "I will get to it as soon as I can."

He is survived by four children, Drexel (Melissa) of Smithfield, Tammy of the home, LaRita of Dendron, and Shaton (Gerrick) of Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Drexel Jr."DJ", Fredria "Promise", Konesha, LaRita, GerriYanah, Shamyah, Daijah, Christopher, and Aaliyah; one great-grand child, Tramine; one god-son David Ellis; four sisters, Helen Pierce of Williamsburg, Helena Pierce of Smithfield, Hope (Walter) Wilkins of Waverly, and Harriett (Gary) Ham of New York, three brothers, Homer Pierce of Chesterfield County, Harry (Cathy) Pierce of Georgia, and Harvey Pierce of Virginia Beach, seven aunts, Willa (Lamar) Ramsey of New York, Catherine Watson of Surry, Edith Birchette of Hampton, Marie Pierce of Waverly, Ruth Pierce of the Bronx, N.Y., Mable Pierce of Newport News, Emily Pierce of Hampton, one uncle, Junius Pierce of Newport News, three sister-in-laws, Hazel Johnson of Norfolk, Joyce Walter of Surry, and Dorothy Rose of Dendron, one brother-in-law, Ray D. Peace of Dendron, three devoted cousins Johnathan Ellis of Surry, Dennis Drew of Maryland, and Amos Walter of Richmond, three devoted nephews Shelfer Dean Peace of Gloucester, Keith "Truck" Johnson of Dendron, and Mitchell "Greg" Johnson of Norfolk and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

We the family appreciates all acts of kindness bestowed upon us during this time. Your generosity and prayers will not be forgotten. May God bless each of you and keep you in his care.

Viewing will be held on January 12, 2015, from 6p.m. to 8p.m. at First Baptist Church Dendron. Funeral Service will be held on January 13, 2015, at 2p.m. at First Baptist Church Dendron. Interment will be at the Johnson Family Cemetery 431 Clubhouse Road, Dendron.