CAPE GIRARDEAU - Bertha M. Pierce, 102, formerly of Naylor, Clarkton and Sikeston, died March 26, 2007, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.
Born Dec. 23, 1904, at Naylor, to the late Zack Marvin and Viola Morton Jenkins, she had resided at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau since soon after its opening in 1980. She attended Naylor Elementary and High schools through its 11th grade program then graduated at Doniphan, the nearest complete high school. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State Teachers' College and did graduate work at University of Missouri-Columbia. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, honorary education society, at Southeast. As Miss Bertha Jenkins, she taught and was principal at the high schools of Neelyville, Naylor, Marston and Clarkton. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau. Having transferred from the Naylor and Clarkton chapters, she was a member of the Sikeston chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
On Nov. 9, 1944, she married Andy Ray Pierce of Clarkton. He had just retired as superintendent after 25 years with the Clarkton Consolidated School District. They made their home in Clarkton until he died on March 28, 1971.
Also preceding her in death were: a sister, Blanche Kennedy; two brothers, Glenn and Denver; five infant siblings; her stepson, Norman Pierce, his wife Christine; and her stepson-in-law, Max M. McMahon.
Surviving Mrs. Pierce are her sisters, Melba McCord and Olivia McClure Moll, both of Sikeston; her stepdaughter, Maxine McMahon of Clarkton; several nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren; and six stepgrandchildren, their children and grandchildren. All were very dear to her and she to them.
Visitation is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel, where funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Paul Kabo and the Rev. Dr. Tom Bass officiating.
Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.
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Memorials may
be made to:
Chateau Girardeau Foundation
3120 Independence
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
or
Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation
1701 Lacey St.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Paid obituary