Kenneth Ray Pierce was born Dec. 6, 1943, in Bogalusa, to Doris Pierce White and Charlie Brooks. He was also raised by his stepfather, Sidney White and his aunt and uncle, Irma and Marvis Bolton.

At an early age, he joined Thirkield United Methodist Church. He attended Central Elementary and Central Memorial High School in Bogalusa. He went to Oakland, Calif., as a young man and returned to Louisiana as a teenager. After returning home, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1964 until 1966.

While in the Army, he married Joyce Barbara Jackson and to this union one child, Kendra L. Pierce, was born. In August of 1966, Kenneth moved to Detroit, Mich., and lived there for 50 years. Kenneth worked for Excellco, Corp., Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corp. He later returned to Bogalusa to live.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Joyce Barbara Pierce of Detroit, Mich.; two sons, Rickey Young and Keithen Brown of Bogalusa; grandchildren, Victoria Grant of Metairie, Keithen Brown III of Columbia, S.C., and Kyle Sibley of Lafayette; cousins, Rev. Richard Smith, Stephanie B. Hayes, Jerrie McClure, Robert, Brian, Janelle and Joe; sisters-in-law, Kara (John) Gibbs of Olive Branch, Miss., Mildred Jackson of Detroit, and Lisa (Ollen) Veasey of Detroit; brothers-in-law, Lavon Jackson Sr. (Geraldine) of Ellenwood, Ga., and Mitchell Jackson (Capress) of Bogalusa; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his daughter, Kendra L. Pierce; mother, Doris Pierce White; father, Charlie Brooks; stepfather, Sidney White; aunts, Irma Bolton, Myrtle Pierce, Hilda Rodgers, Shirley Burnette and Glenda Montgomery; Steve and Emmitt Rodgers; grandparents, Steve Pierce and Mollie Crain Pierce; and brothers-in-law, Earnest Jr. and Darnell Jackson.

Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home.