Mary Elaine Pierce was born on the farm in Cora Township, Smith County, Kansas to Franklin and Addie (Beardslee) Pierce on December 19, 2024.  Mary was the 6th of 8 children.  She passed away on May 23, 2026, at Smith Center Health and Rehab at the age of 101.

Although her formal education ended at 8th grade she continued to learn for the rest of her life.  She loved to read, and it was all non-fiction.  She had a love of history of all types.   With her beautiful handwriting she wrote volumes of family history and Cora township history.  She loved sending and receiving letters.  She corresponded with distant relatives that she had never met in person.

Mary and her brother Clair remained on the family farm their entire life.  Mary was an excellent care giver for her mother and also in later years for Clair when his health failed. 
 
Mary’s life was one of hard work.  It was marked by growing up during the depression and her father’s death during the depression. The farm and animals were Mary’s love and joy.  She raised cattle and hogs.  As a youth her neighbor, John Miller, would give his runt pigs to her.  If anyone could bring an animal back to life that was sick, or failing to thrive it was Mary. She enjoyed vegetable gardening and was a good seamstress, making all her blouses.  She was very proficient at mending and patching clothing.  Although she always said that she didn’t like to cook, she was a good cook.   It was just that she would rather be outside.  No one left her table hungry.  She would deliver food to friends and neighbors that were ill or in need.  She would go through phases of trying out recipes and baking certain items.  Friends and family and neighbors were the lucky recipients of such things as cinnamon rolls and French bread when she was in one of these moods.  She was handy with tools and was a good carpenter. She was creative and artistic and was an excellent wood worker. 
 
Mary was still milking her cows and raising calves when a fall in December of 2016 resulted in shattering her femur and ankle.  Although her wish was to go back home to the farm, it was not to be.  She settled into life and Smith County Health and Rehab in January of 2017.  She adjusted and adapted so much better than her family had expected.  After about 6 months she admitted that she knew that this needed to be her home.  She was very appreciative of the care that she received from the staff.  She would speak about how spoiled she felt and how nice it was to not have to worry about anything.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Addie Pierce, brothers Den, Leslie and Leroy and Clair.  Her sisters Enid Ingram and twins Vada Pierce (who died shortly after birth) and Neta Ayres. Nephew Frank Pierce and nieces Linda (Pierce) Ivey and Denice (Pierce) Grenshaw. 

Mary is survived by her niece Nancy Shaffer (Robert) of Smith Center and nephew Kelley (Lynda) Ayres of Minden Nebraska and their families.  

Graveside memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Cora-Cedar Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, KS, with Pastor Lance McDowell officiating.  There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen.  Memorials may be given to the Cora-Cedar Hill Cemetery and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS  66967