Travis Pierce
Posted: April 23, 2009
AMORY — Dr. Travis Manning Pierce, 85, died April 21, 2009, at Oak Tree Plantation in Amory. Services are Friday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Amory with Dr. Allen Simpson and the Rev. Jimmy McFatter officiating. Burial will follow at Masonic Cemetery in Amory. Visitation is Friday for three hours prior to services at the church. E.E. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory is in charge of the arrangements. Dr. Pierce was born April 8, 1924, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to the late Marvin Travis and Ella Ophelia Robinson Pierce. He lived in several different places before moving to Tupelo in 1932. He graduated Tupelo High School and worked as a bookkeeper for Gulf Refining Co. in Tupelo. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and received his pilot’s wings in 1944 in Phoenix. After instructor’s school, he trained for and became a B-17 first pilot and later a B-29 copilot. He served in the Air Corps until 1946. He later served at Keesler Field and then was assigned to Kearns, Utah. After the war, he managed Joyce Optical Service for two years and he attended The Southern College of Optometry in Memphis and received his Doctor of Optometry degree. He established his practice in Amory for many years before forming a partnership with Dr. A.F. Hodges until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Amory, serving as a deacon and Sunday School Department director. He was past president of Mississippi Optical Foundation and past president of Mississippi Optical Association. He was past president of Amory Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, a 50 year member, and an honorary member. He served on the Amory Board of Adjustments from 1960-June 2003 and with the American Legion for 50 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister. He is survived by his wife, Gene Stratton Carr Pierce of Amory; sons, Bruce Pierce of Wichita, Kan., and Philip Pierce of St. Louis; daughters, Pamela Sullivan of Columbus, Patti Edwards of Meridian and Charlotte Markow of Huntsville, Ala.; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Jerry Reese, Bud Everett, Ken Vaughn, Dan Rogers, Larry Palmer and Tommy Parish. Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 540, Amory, MS 38821; Amory Rotary Club; or Baptist Children’s Village, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060.
