Russell Lee Pierce, 68

Cleveland resident and Nashville native Russell Lee Pierce, 68, died at the home of his daughter in Cleveland after a long illness Dec. 7.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Besse Carver Pierce and father, Roy Johnson Jr.

A graduate of Elmhurst College with an accounting degree, he resided in Memphis where he spent most of his life working with his father in the car dealership business. He was most recently employed by Vawter, Gamon and Norris Accounting Firm of Memphis. He enjoyed time with his grandchildren and University of Tennessee athletics.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Catherine Bentert Pierce; son, Mark Joseph Pierce of Bedford, N.H.; daughter, Dr. Julia Pierce Finley of Cleveland; brother, Roy Johnson Pierce III of McMinnville; sisters, Bettye Mysogland of Crown Point, Ind., and Maryann Jackson of Beldwood, Ill.; and grandchildren, Nicholas Jeffrey Pierce, Linsey Catherine Pierce and Reilly Earlaine Pierce.

A mass of resurrection was held Saturday at St. Therese Catholic Church and officiated by Father Joseph Brando. Interment services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at 850 Fort Wood Street, Chattanooga, TN. 37403 or St. Therese Catholic Church, 900 Clingan Ridge Drive, Cleveland, TN. 37312.

Jim Rush Funeral Homes, North Ocoee Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 11, 2005