Peggy Ann Pierce (nee Coker) ,94, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at
home in Carbondale Illinois. Born on August 30, 1931, in Strangers Home/Alicia
Arkansas, Peggy lived a long and resilient life shaped by early hardship, enduring
love, and deep devotion to her family. Peggy’s early years were marked by the
challenges of the Great Depression. After losing her father at the age of four, she
experienced a childhood of frequent moves-ten different homes and seven different
schools- before settling down through marriage. On March 25, 1948 she married
Jessie Pierce at the Powhatan Court House, together they began their life farming in
Arkansas until 1954, when they packed up their truck with their firstborn son,
Dennis, and moved north to Rockford, Illinois. In Rockford, Peggy embraced her role
as a stay -at -home mother while also contributing to the household through various
jobs. She worked at Prince Castle restaurant and later at Nylint Toys. After the
passing of her husband Jessie in 1990, Peggy returned to Walnut Ridge Arkansas-a
place that would remain her home for the rest of her life. There she continued to
work for a time at Scentations in Pocahontas alongside her sister in law Mildred
Tinker. Family was always central to Peggy’s life.
She is survived by her sons Dennis (Linn) Pierce and Larry (Amy) Pierce;
granddaughters Ginger (Ray) Brian, Jessica Pierce, Ammi (Steve) Brannon and Holly
Barbier ; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. In
her later years, she was lovingly supported by special friend Rhonda and neighbor
Mr. Holder.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Jessie Pierce; son Gary Pierce; daughter
Rita Pierce Burkhamer; granddaughter Shelby Pierce; brothers JD and Buford Coker;
and sisters Beatrice Graham, Lucille Nicholson, Thelma Coker, and Jodell Burns.
A fiercely independent woman with a generous heart, Peggy lived life on her own
terms. Her home was always open-if stopped by even for a short visit, she’d likely ask
if you were hungry and insist on feeding you. Shew found joy in tending to her
garden and cherished time spent with family and friends. Her beloved cat Charlie
was a constant companion in her later years.
