A celebration of Life for Edward Lee "Eddie" Pierce was held Friday, January 28, 2022, at 2 p.m., at McClain-Hays Chapel in Philadelphia, Miss. Burial followed in the Bloomfield Cemetery with military honors. McClain-Hays Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Edward Lee Pierce, 72, of Philadelphia, Miss., passed away on Jan. 24, 2022, at the G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery V. A. Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., after a battle with Parkinson's and Covid-19.

He was born in Neshoba County, Miss., and spent his entire life in the Bloomfield Community. He graduated from Neshoba Central High School in 1967. After graduation he was drafted by the United States Army in March of 1969. He received his basic training at Fort Polk, La., and his NCO training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was sent to Vietnam in Dec. of 1969, serving one tour of duty and being honorably discharged in Dec. of 1970. While serving he received the Purple Heart for being combat wounded by shrapnel from a landmine.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing. He was a very avid fisherman and wanted to go all the time. All the fish that were caught were saved for a family fish fry or whoever in the community decided to stop by when they saw the crew out cooking the fish. He really loved to fish, but his greatest love of all was his family. He was very devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and family. He spent much of his time with various members of his family, whether it was visiting with his sister just to talk, or facetime the other sister; or going fishing with his sons, twin brother, brother-in-law, or nephews, who always made it a competition to see who could catch the most, or at least all the big ones. He was a big animal lover and over the years had several prized running walkers for deer hunting and a blue heeler named Hammer. In his later years he moved on to cats as his pet of choice and man, did he love those cats. Mr. Pierce was a member of Bloomfield Congregational Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Betty Agent Pierce of Philadelphia; sons, Jason Pierce (Karen) of Snell, Miss., Jonathan Pierce (Crystal) of Vaiden, Miss.; daughter, Joni Pope of Philadelphia; seven grandchildren: Jake Harrison of Snell, Miss., Hope Pierce, Gracie Pierce, and Kallie Pierce, all of Vaiden, Miss., Hunter Pope, Makayla Pope and Jackson Pope, all of Philadelphia; twin brother, Grady Pierce (Kathleen) of Philadelphia; sisters, Linda Fisher of Liberty, Ky., and Owannie McLemore (Carl) of Philadelphia, Miss.; brother-in-law, James White of Philadelphia, Miss.; a host of nieces and nephews, and many other extended family members.

Preceding Mr. Pierce in death were his parents, Gerald L. and Arlie Cumberland Pierce; a sister, Betty Joyce White; mother-in-law, Dean Agent; sister-in-law, Delores Agent White; and nephew, Brandon Fisher.

Pallbearers were Jonathan Pierce, Hunter Pope, Scotty Graham, Doug Pierce, T Y Fisher, and Shannon White. Honorary pallbearers were Jackson Pope, Stuart Graham, Tyler Graham, Josh Graham, Josh Guthans, James Leach, and Robert Hembree.