Martha Belle Pierce

Martha Belle Robinson Pierce was born March 9, 1937 in Magnolia, Arkansas to the union of LC and Hazel Robinson. The second born of six children and daughter of a seamstress and carpenter, Martha had a strong work ethic all around. She began her work for the Lord at an early age teaching Sunday school as a teenager and accepted Christ at the Home Near Baptist Church under Pastor Simpson.
Martha attended the Walker School and graduated from Walker High School in 1955. She was a majorette and had a natural talent for styling hair. As word got out about her coifing abilities, she began doing hair for her family and the community.

Shortly after graduating high school her family relocated to Muskegon, Michigan. She began working at a dry cleaner and met and became friends with Helen Pierce her future husband's sister. Helen and Martha attended Zion West Side Baptist church together. She met Edward Pierce through Helen. After a world wind romance, Edward and Martha were married on June 16, 1956 and began establishing their household.
To their union was born Mark Anthony, James Spencer, Shadyne Victoria, Edward Spencer and Sonya Falice. They resided on the West side of town in Muskegon Heights and later moved to downtown Muskegon to the Jackson Hill neighborhood.

Martha gained employment at Gerber foods and later Muskegon Public Schools working at Froebel Elementary, Steele Junior High, Glenside Elementary, Nelson Junior High and lastly Muskegon High School. During her tenure with Muskegon Public Schools she became heavily involved in her work and impacted the lives of hundreds of students. Mrs. Pierce's altruistic and gentle nature allowed her to connect with children in her neighborhood, church and community. She volunteered in Parent Teacher Association, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies and worked as a youth group leader with friend Josephine Goynes at Zion Baptist Church.

Martha was a member of Zion Baptist church for over 30 years, serving as a deaconess, choir member , choir president, van driver, willing worker, junior choir, mission worker, Sunday school teacher, pastor's aid and hospitality. She loved to cook and bake for church functions.
Martha opened her home to the community, and treated everyone as family. She always made time to serve God, family and friends. Martha was very hands on as a mother and grandmother and believed in training her children to work hard but always emphasized putting God first and having a relationship with Him. She found joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother and scholar of the Word of God. She continued to style her daughters and family member's hair.

In the 1990s, under the leadership of Pastor John L. Evans, Martha began attending Temperance Bible College through Great Joy World Outreach Center and received her license to minister the Word of God. Her sermons focused on having strong faith and living a purpose driven life. She was involved in women's ministry, ushers and greeters, children's ministry and hospitality at Great Joy.
After retiring, Martha and Edward moved to Lansing, Michigan in 2002 and served under Pastors James and Stacia Pierce at Life Changers Christian Center. Under their leadership, she continued to strive to live her best life and mature in the Lord. Her creativity and newly found inspiration caused her to continue to speak the word of God into people's lives and work in children's ministry. She began a meal preparation and baking business.
Martha's last move was to Lake Mary, Florida. Martha and Edward enjoyed trips to Disney, Miami and attending events at their community senior center. She enjoyed the warm weather and sunny skies. She attended Dream Life Center and served in children's ministry. She spent her final years connecting with family and friends through Facebook and inviting people to move to Florida. Her focus continued to be worshipping God through service but her main focus was enjoying quality life with her husband of 63 years.

Martha went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 5, 2019 after a short illness. She was preceded in death by her parents LC and Hazel Robinson, sisters Bessie Aaron and Lula Green and brother Grover Robinson. Father-in-law Edward Pierce II. Her Mother and Father-in-law Blanche and John Davis; Sister-in-Laws Helen Ealy and Joyce Robinson; Brother-in-laws Fred Aaron Jimmy Pierce and Melvin White; Nephews Michael Pierce and Daryl Reed; and beloved cousin Emma Sargeant. She is survived by her husband Edward Pierce III, brother's Tom and Paul Robinson; Sister-in-law Pamela Pierce; her children Mark (Regina) Pierce, James (Stacia) Pierce, Shadyne (Charles) Booker, Edward (Katrina) Pierce, and Sonya Johnson. Grand Children Edwin (Tasha) Pierce, Mark (Niterria) Pierce Jr., Marquicia Pierce, Renyshia Pierce, Ariana Pierce, Ryan Pierce, Julian Pierce, Bennett Gay, Victoria Booker, Jordan Booker, Jamari Booker and Cameron Johnson. Great-Grand Children Isaiah Pierce, Elijah Pierce, Keyanna Nina and Landon Pierce. A host of nieces, nephews and friends: Jamesia Robinson, Ozetta Aaron, Virginia Earvin, Julie Shine, Crystal Lang, Denise Reed, Lori Williams, Linda Reed, Kim Reed, Barry (Bridgette) Pierce, Marcellus Paige, Kevin Green, Adrienne Robinson, Alaina Robinson, Christopher (Patricia) Robinson, Victoria Robinson and Wayne Robinson. A special co-parenting friend and traveling buddy, Barbara Sanders and Florida friends Phyllis Scott, Joan VanHurley and Charlene Wiley.Ma

Visitation is Friday, October 11, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. At Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions-East Orlando. Interment will take place in Muskegon, MI.

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