James Wayland Pierce Sr., 89, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 4, surrounded by his family. He was greeted with open arms into the gates of Heaven. Jimmy was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, sportsman and veteran.
He was born and raised in Greeneville, Tennessee, where he grew up on Tusculum Boulevard. His young life was filled with memories of his mother cooking family meals and making him his favorite chocolate pies with no meringue; working their small farm; and working at their Esso station on Tusculum Boulevard with his dad. Jimmy and the Pierce family were faithful followers of Christ and lifelong members of Trinity United Methodist Church.
Jimmy was an outstanding athlete, winning numerous awards and recognition. He was inducted into the Greeneville High School Sports Hall of Fame (1952-1956) in honor of his excellence in football and basketball. He was known as a powerful athlete, “Little but Mighty.”
He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and was an alumnus of Tusculum College. Later in life, he worked for Bewley Motors as a sales manager before retiring.
Jimmy met the love of his life, Jonnie Deaton Pierce, when she was 19 and he was 23. They were married Nov. 19, 1960, and shared a wonderful life together with two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Nov. 19, 2025.
He loved his family and his wife with every piece of his heart. They were his greatest joys. The family is so grateful for the time and love they all shared. They treasured their time together at Myrtle Beach. He loved walking with his grandkids, letting them pick up shark teeth that he had previously found and planted for them to find.
Jimmy was the Tennessee Vols’ greatest fan and always dressed for the games. He bled orange and never missed a game. We always teased him that “Rocky Top” was his favorite song.
He was a friend and was loved by so many. He always had a way with people. He was “one of a kind,” admired for his sense of humor, love for family, wisdom and integrity. He was known near and far by friends he had made over the years. The stories he shared with family and friends were always a favorite source of entertainment. He was never at a loss for words or a comeback with something that made everyone laugh.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Julia Pierce Cali; his parents, E.D. and Pearl Pierce; his sisters and brother, Phyllis McAmis, Wanda Hall, Jean Mott and Copper Pierce; his sisters- and brother-in-law, Betty Pierce, Tony Deaton, Jack Deaton, Roland McCamis and Don Henard; and his nieces and nephews, Jimmy Mott, Doug Henard, Connie Pierce and Steve Mott.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Jonnie Pierce; his son, Jim Pierce and wife, Beth, of Cornelius, N.C.; his grandchildren, Pierce Cali of Charleston, S.C.; Cassie Pierce Basnett and husband, Michael, of Cornelius, N.C., and their children, Crew and Tatum; Ben Pierce and wife, Brittany, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Stephen Pierce and wife, Faith, of Sherrills Ford, N.C., and their children, Brecken, Baker and Brooks; sisters-in-law Jean Deaton Henard, Joyce Deaton and Mary Kathryn Deaton; and many loved nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to visitation on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, followed by a celebration of life service at 3 p.m., with a graveside burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place after the graveside service at Trinity United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in honor of Jimmy Pierce.
The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to all the kind and committed nurses and doctors. Arrangements are entrusted to Jeffers Funeral Home.
