Zettie Hardy Pierce

At the blessed age of 94 years old, Zettie Beatrice Hardy Pierce, left this life and went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 28, 2016, surrounded by family and friends at the time of her transition. Zettie was born on May 12th, 1921, the oldest daughter of Booker T. Hardy and Willie Mae Hardy. Zettie and her family lived in the countryside between the cities of Cleveland and Pace, Mississippi. She began her relationship with the Lord at an early age, attending Solomon Chapel AME Church in Cleveland, MS. Zettie completed her schooling at Pace Colored School, graduating in 1935. She moved to Chicago, IL around 1940, with her first husband, and the union produced her first born son. There, Zettie flourished, becoming an active member of Blackwell Memorial AME Zion Church; and later, Penson Temple Church of God in Christ. She aided and supported her family and countless others to establish themselves in Chicago during The Great Migration. Zettie met the love of her life, Booker T. Pierce, and they married in 1953. Their union was a perfect balance of her strength and feistiness and his quiet wisdom. Together they had four beautiful children. During this time, Zettie worked as a supervisor at the Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company for over thirty years, where she retired. She also attended cosmetology school, which later came in handy when raising her three granddaughters. Retirement would not last long, as Zettie's entre- preneurial spirit led her to open and operate her very own daycare center. She finally retired a second time and moved to Portsmouth, VA to spend her final years. She continued her Christian life by joining Ebenezer Baptist Church and made the decision to be baptized. At this time, she was still very active, regularly attending the City of Portsmouth Senior Station and joining the Red Hatters Club of Portsmouth. For those who knew her or were blessed to be her family, Zettie taught many lessons including that we do not have to live a, mundane life, as she lived this long life fully. She loved blues and jazz, threw fabulous parties and barbecues, drove beautiful cars, and traveled often. She taught us that we should look out for others, as Zettie took care of everyone and was fiercely protective of her family. She taught us to work hard in this life, and she has instilled this work ethic into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She taught us what it meant to be strong women, as she was the epitome of a family matriarch. And we, who knew and loved her, thank her for all of her lessons. Zettie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Booker T. Pierce, her oldest son, Joseph Swan; her father, Booker T. Hardy; and her mother, Willie Mae Hardy. Other relatives that also preceded her in death include her brother, Willie Lee Hardy, her sister, Marva J. Lee, and her nephew, Kenneth Hardy. Zettie leaves to cherish her life, two daughters, Jataun Pierce and Valora Pierce Baskerville (Marion); two sons, Ronald Pierce and Reginald Pierce (Debby); brother, John Hardy (Laura), and two nieces, Sharon Morgan and Sandra Hill (Warren); and a very special niece, Dorris Pierce McGill. She also leaves a great legacy with eight grandchildren, Kurt Swan (Sherry), Cheryl Bourgeois, Tanya Houston (Anthony), Tawone Pierce, Tosha Coleman (Cecil), Crystal Jones, Tamika Baskerville Bryant (Ernest), and Tiffany Baskerville Powell (Charles) and nine great-grandchildren, Shaneah Kawamba (Gray), Kurt Swan Jr., Kyle Swan, Christian Swan, Alexandra Bourgeois, Alia Joy Houston, Anthony Houston Jr., Melina Jazmin Jones, and Zoe Valora Bryant. There are also a host of other relatives and friends who love Zettie and will keep her awesome memory alive.

Zettie Hardy Pierce

May 12, 1921 - March 28, 2016