Drenda L. Pierson

Drenda L. Pierson, 79, Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on July 22, 2024. She was born March 13, 1945 in Towns County, GA to the late Kathryn Jarrard-Wright and Emmett Jarrard. She graduated from Ketron High School, class of 1963. After graduation, she went to work at J. Fred Johnson Department Store and the last place she worked was in Dr. J. Dwight Whitt’s office. She enjoyed making flower arrangements and working puzzles. Saved at an early age, she later became a member of Oak Glen Baptist Church in Fall Branch.

Beside her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Pierson; sister and brother-in-law, Jewell and Franklin McClure, sister, Janett Nicholson; brothers, Aaron E. Jarrard and Harold Jarrard and his daughter, Mary Kathryn Jarrard; and niece, Tammy Lynn Jarrard, who died at age six.

Surviving are her brothers, Monty Dale Jarrard and his wife, Patty, and Roy “Tex” Jarrard; special sister-in-law, Shirley “Sis” Harless; eight nephews and their families; her extended family; granddaughter, Elisha (Johnny) Hicks; grandson, Jeremy (Michelle) Pierson and three great granddaughters, Casey, Hannah and Emery; Debbie Jean Thomas and her daughters, Ashley (Mark) and Sydney; great great-granddaughter, Ophelia Gray; and Tony Pierson.

At her request, there will be a gathering of friends, Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 11:00am – 12:00pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch. Graveside services will follow at 12:30pm at Oak Glen Cemetery with Pastor Alan Buckles and Rev. Marshall Steinle officiating.

Pallbearers will be nephews and Jeremy Pierson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in memory of Tammy Jarrard.

A special thanks to my family for their love and support and to Elisha, who has helped and stood by me through the good times and bad times. A promise she made to her granddaddy. What would I have done without her!