2 parents gone in less than a year

Betty Melinda Collins Pierce, daughter of the late Oval Edison Collins and Dephna Jones Collins, passed away Thursday, March 17.

 

Vivian Pierce Lambert, who lives in Monongah with husband Paul Lambert, Class of 1973, and Thomas Pierce, who lives in Monongah with Robin Herron, lost both parents within a year.

 

Their father, James Pierce, predeceased Betty.

Vivian is a former Union Carbide inspector and Fairmont State graduate.

 

She wrote about her mother’s passing:

 

“This Beautiful And Wonderful Christian Lady.. The best wife and Mother in the world. Went to be with her Heavenly Father and loving Husband. March 17,2016 7:30 a.m. I could never dream that in almost a year’s time that we lost both of our parents. Mommy, love you so very much. Till we meet again.”

 

Lamberts who graduated from Monongah High:

Norma Lambert Preston, Class of 1966

Richard Lambert, Class of 1975

Betty’s obituary:

Betty Melinda (Collins) Pierce went to be with the Lord on Thursday (March 17, 2016) at Mon General Hospital.

She was born May 27, 1941. She was the daughter of the late Oval Edison Collins and Dephna Jones Collins.

She was married for 55 years to the late James Pierce.

She worked at Fairmont State for 32 years. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Independent Church of Monongah.

She is survived by two children, Vivian Pierce Lambert and her husband Paul Lambert of Monongah and Thomas Pierce and companion Robin Herron of Monongah; two grandchildren, Joshua Pierce of Monongah and Melinda “Poke” Herron of Monongah; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail Gillespie and Hadley Herron. She is also survived by her siblings, Benny and wife Helen of Monongah, Alam and the late Raymond Harris of McCurdysville and Dee and husband Charlie Moore of Fairmont; lots of nieces and nephews; and good family friend, Lee Fuller.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, William and the late Kenneth Sigley, Ruby and the late John Fast, and Robert Collins and wife Lee Collins.

There will be a memorial at a later date. She was a donor to the West Virginia University Gift Registry.

 

Jim Pierce’s obituary after he passed away March 30, 2015:

 

James “Jim” Jacob Pierce, 73, of Monongah, went home to be with the Lord on Monday (March 30, 2015) at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

He is the son of the late Howard Pierce and Mable Fall Pierce Blair and a stepfather, Russ Blair.

Jim retired from Champion Block after 30 years of employment. He was also a member of the Monongah Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, now Trinity Independent Church of Monongah. Jim enjoyed singing, hunting, fishing, watching WWE and westerns, as well as spending time with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Collins Pierce, of 56 years; a daughter, Vivian Pierce Lambert and her husband Paul “Bucko” Lambert of Monongah; son, Thomas Pierce and companion Robin Herron of Monongah; three sisters, Beulah Brown, Roslie Chelly and Hala Thompson; brother, Butch and his wife Lean Pierce; and a sister-in-law, Carol Pierce.

He also leaves grandchildren, Joshua J. Pierce and his fiance Lisa Hernandez of Fairmont, and Melinda “Poke” Herron of Monongah; and great-grandchildren, Abigail “Abby” Gillespie, Lyla Hernandez and Hadley Herron.

He left behind a special nephew and his wife, Bernie and Melissa Pierce of Morgantown; two great-nieces, Jenna and Riley Pierce of Morgantown; many more nieces and nephews; friends, Renee Cummings, Carol Ellis, Johnnie Friend and Phyllis Whitehair; football buddy, Lee Fuller; as well as his church family.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leo Pierce, Thomas and his wife Virginia Pierce and Bernie Pierce; and three brothers-in-law, Henry Brown, Louie Chelly and Oran Thompson.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Trinity Independent Church in Monongah with Pastor Frank Cosco and Rev. Bill Preston officiating. There will be a dinner following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Independent Church, First Street, Monongah.

He was a donor of West Virginia University Human Gift Registry.