PIERCE

Lavonia Pierce, 89, was born on March 7, 1924, and passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Rockwall, Texas.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, James M. Pierce of Rockwall; a daughter, Mildred (Larry) Starling of Garland, Texas; two grandsons, Scott Pierce of Baton Rouge and Terry Simmons of Dallas; a granddaughter, Dixie Simmons Miller of Rockwall; step-grandchildren, Ken (Connie) Starling of Lake Quinlan, Texas, Barbara (Scott) Wood of Rockwall and Kim (Mike) Goebel of Wills Point, Texas; 11 great-grandchildren, Nicholas Pierce, Chloe Miller, Madeleine Miller, Maegan Starling, Zachary Starling, Shelby Wood, Chase Wood, Haley Wood, Kaylee Rivera, Ashlyn Rivera and MaKenna Goebel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Belva Miller James; her father, Albert James; two sisters, Lazell James and Betty Branton; a brother, Bobby Earl James; a son, Lester Pierce; a daughter-in-law, Ethel Mae Pierce; and a granddaughter, Tammy Pierce.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Monday, April 1 from 9:30 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Dale officiating. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens.

To view and sign online, visit www.pooleritchiefuneralhome. com.