Mr. Jack Pierce remembrance

 

Jack Pierce, Sr. departed this life on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at his home.  Jack was born on December 24, 1929 to Albert and Lena Pierce in Old Kingsport, Tennessee.

Jack was a graduate of the Douglass High School in the community of Riverview in Kingsport.  He then went to work at Tennessee Eastman Company for 39 years, where he served as the first Black foreman.  He was a member of the Central Baptist Church and was a member of the Usher Board.

Jack had a heart for others, spending much of his time gardening, being involved in the community, and volunteering.  He was a member of the Riverview "Catch the Vision" Strategic Planning Team, the South Central Kingsport Community Development Board, the Weed and Seed Board, a founding member of the Frederick A. Douglass Cultural Arts Museum of Kingsport, the Bays Mountain Historical Commitee, the Board of Directors of the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, the Head Start Policy Council, and served with the Holston Habitat for Humanity.  

Jack was kind-hearted and never met a stranger.

Jack would often say, "I'm kicking, but not too high" and "pretty good shape for the shape I'm in."  He always amusingly referred to your drink no matter what it was, as "a 50-cent shot."  Jack's warm heart and gentle spirit will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.  

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 75 years, Betsy Ann Whittington Pierce; his son Jack Pierce; sons-in-law B.C. Camp and Mickey Rogers;  parents Albert and Lena Pierce; grandparents Jerome and Alice Pierce; and 12 brothers and sisters. 

To cherish his memory and carry on his legacy, Jack leaves behind his children Veronica Camp of Kingsport; Garfield (Becky) Pierce of Bristol; Sandra (Paul) Williams of Cleveland, Ohio; Lena Rogers of Kingsport; Alan (Wanda) Pierce of Atlanta, Georgia; and Veronica (Filo) Martinez of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Sandra Pierce, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-children, 28 great-great grandchildren, a cousin, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The Going Home Services will be held at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport.  The Visitation will be from 12 Noon to 1 PM and the Celebration of Life will be from 1 PM to 2 PM.  Interment will be beside his beloved wife in the Historic Pierce Chapel AME Church cemetery, 1810 Seaver Road at Horse Creek in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport.

Professional care of the Pierce family is entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.

  

Mr. Jack Pierce passing

 

Jack Pierce departed this life Thursday, January 23, 2025, at his home.  

The service will be at the Central Baptist Church in Kingsport on Saturday, February 1st, 2025.

The viewing will be from 12 Noon to 1 PM.  The service follows immediately from 1 PM to 2 PM.

The remembrance is forthcoming.

Mr. Jack Pierce announcement

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association is sad to report the news that Mr. Jack Pierce, a native son of Douglass, a historian of the Riverview Community, and a good friend to all, has passed away.

We're told that he passed away peacefully to join Ms. Betsy Ann at their Mansion in Heaven.

Please pray for the family and friends.

We will keep you posted on the Remembrance and Homegoing.

Just in case you're curious:

How many days until the next presidential inauguration? 

MLK Day Of Service In Kingsport, Tennessee

Although there are no traditional MLK Day activities scheduled for Monday, January 20th because of the sub-freezing temperatures, let's not forget our obligations to our friends and neighbors:                          

Support PUTTING BABIES FIRST PROGRAM on MLK DAY (Monday, January 20, 2025) at Riverview Community Room on Wheatley Street (Next to Pickle Ball Court) from 3 pm - 5 pm our Drop-Off Location!   

Please Donate DIAPERS and WIPES!

Contact: Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins at (423) 956-0675 or email: rcollins.j316@gmail.com

MLK Day Activities Postponed in Kingsport

**** NOTICE ****

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. activities, including the annual parade in downtown Kingsport, the MLK Luncheon in Riverview and the MLK Candlelight Vigil HAVE ALL BEEN POSTPONED from January 20, 2025.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures in the single digits to temperatures in the teens on January 20th, therefore the decision to postpone events.

The Annual Candlelight Vigil will now be held on Friday, April 4th at 6 PM.

The Annual MLK Day Parade downtown will be held on Saturday morning, April 5th at 10 AM.  The MLK Day Luncheon will now be held also on Saturday morning, April 5th at 11 AM.

The dates coincide with the commemoration of Dr. King's assassination 57 years ago on April 4, 1968.

Patrice Janee Lytle remembrance

 

Patrice Janeé Lytle, affectionately known as "Pat-Rice!" and "P-Lytle!," departed this life Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Holston Valley Medical Center. Patrice was born on October 23, 1982, in Milton, Florida, to Kevin Lytle and Sherry Watterson. 

Patrice was known for her energetic and fun-loving personality. She enjoyed coloring and riding around in her car with her children, where they would play and sing along to music. She also delighted in catching a movie with her children, siblings, and mother. Patrice was a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church. 

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Edward and Virginia P. Lytle, and maternal grandparents, Betty Lou Hale and Freddy Watterson. 

To cherish her memory, Patrice leaves behind her children, Macarius Javan Miller and Sa'Daya Janise Rose; father, Kevin (Clara) Lytle; mother, Sherry Watterson; step-father, Jessie Williams; brothers, Adam Lytle and David Lytle; sister, Jessaka (Jacob Christian, fiancé) Williams; grandmother, Cheryl (Rommie) Argo; special cousin, Bron Cox; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The visitation will be on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1 PM to 2 PM, at the St. Mark United Methodist Church, 929 Maple Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.  

The Memorial Service will immediately follow from 2 PM to 3 PM at the church.  

Care of the Patrice Janee Lytle family has been entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Snow at Home in the View

From the top of Bays Mountain (on the upper left), to Louis Street in Riverview, snow invaded our homes yesterday and last night.

The snow is slowly changing over to rain and temperatures are only slightly warmer than yesterday.  Cold temperatures tonight will probably freeze any moisture on the streets.  

As you can see below from WCYB's webcam at J. Fred Johnson Stadium, people are enjoying sledding down the hill inside the stadium, with Fort Henry Drive in the background.

Douglass Alumni Board meeting rescheduled

 

Because of snowy weather, the regularly monthly meeting of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association Board scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2025 has been postponed.  The meeting will be re-scheduled for a later date.

Please check back here for that new meeting date.