Pastor Ken Pierce

Kenneth Dale Pierce, age 69, of Dayton, TN, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, October 11, 2020. He was born in Galax, VA on March 9, 1951, the son of the late Cone and Ruby (Murray) Pierce. Pastor Ken was also preceded in death by his siblings, William “Billy” (Lois) Pierce and Peggy Pierce Lineberry of Galax, VA. Pastor Ken attended Hiwassee College, Radford University and received a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He served many churches over his lifetime, Amonate and Bandy UMC, Amonate, VA, Pearisburg UMC Circuit, Pearisburg, VA, Sardis UMC, Nancy, KY, Mountain City UMC Circuit, Mountain City, TN, Bread of Life, Ocala, FL, Hiltons UMC Circuit, Hiltons, VA, Clintwood/McClure UMC, Clintwood, VA, Holston View UMC, Weber City, VA, First UMC, Dayton, TN. Kenneth, Pastor Ken, was a devoted husband to Phyllis, a loving Dad to Angie, Aaron and Emily, a bonus father to Jonathan, Paige and Kristin and a sweet and playful Papaw to 11 grands! Around 20 years of age, he felt God’s call to ministry as his vocation in life. Forty-nine years, with a servant’s heart, he and his wife pastored churches throughout several states working in the communities with a genuine love of people, a seemingly endless supply of joy and laughter, faithfully preaching the love and grace of God. He traveled outside the US to several countries doing the same. Music was in his soul, and he sang and played the piano with his wife and family throughout the years spreading the Gospel to so many. He is loved and will be greatly missed. “Precious in the sight of Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15 He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis Jane (Fortner) Pierce; his children, Angela (Jonathan) Pierce Stumbo, Aaron (Kristin) Pierce and Emily (Paige) Pierce Hughes; grandchildren, Emmie, Wyatt, Levi, Sam, and Jesse Stumbo, Madison, Blake and Benjamin Pierce, Lucas, Molly and Addie Hughes, all of Dayton, TN; siblings, Janice (John) Pierce Jones and Donald Lineberry (brother-in-law) both of Galax, VA; and mother-in-law, Betty Jones Fortner, of Dayton, TN. Funeral services for Pastor Ken will be held Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Dayton with Pastor Layne Pennington, Aaron Pierce and Pastor T.J. Burdine officiating. He will be laid to rest at Pierce Cemetery in Evensville, TN. Please share your memories and photos of Pastor Ken on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com. The family is being cared for by the Vanderwall Funeral Home where they will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made in Pastor Ken’s name to First United Methodist Church Dayton, TN - General Fund, Nicaragua Feeding Fund or Women’ Care Center Dayton, TN.

Pastor Ken Pierce

March 9, 1951 - October 11, 2020