Ethylene Pierce

Ethylene Susie Pierce, 94, of Pryor, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2019 in Pryor. She was born on February 18, 1925 in Muskogee, Oklahoma; the daughter of G.A. and Ethyl (Hinkel) Sampsel. She graduated from Salina High School. Ethylene married Russell Pierce on October 25, 1943 and they have celebrated 75 years of marriage. Russell and Ethylene had their first date on Thanksgiving night of 1943 at the Allred theater. Russell was the love of Ethylene’s life and even in her last moments, she loved Russell with everything she had. They have been a member of the Pryor First Church of God for over 68 years and Ethylene looked forward to singing in the choir and making every choir practice. She also taught Vacation Bible School for many years and Sunday school, she also enjoyed visiting the elderly at the nursing home, always making sure everyone was taken care of.  Ethylene was from one of the greatest generations of the original “Betty Crockers” and her children remember always have home cooked meals three times a day. Her family was her career, and she devoted her life to making sure they were always well taken care of. Ethylene was a loving, faithful, Christian woman who leaves behind a beautiful legacy for her family and friends to cherish.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2019 in the First Church of God in Pryor with Reverend Kenneth Gable and Reverend Andrew Rehbein officiating. Burial will follow in the Boatman Cemetery with Wade Enyart, Brett Enyart, Bryan Merritt, Troy Wise, Grayson Wise, Bill Huff serving as casket bearers. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2019 in the Shipman’s Funeral Home Chapel. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.

Ethylene is survived by her husband, Russell Pierce of the home; daughters, Marilyn Merritt and husband Tom of Salina, Oklahoma and Carolyn Enyart and husband Ronnie of Colcord, Oklahoma; 4 grandchildren, Wade Enyart, Brett Enyart Bryan Merritt, and Lisa Merritt; 9 great grandchildren, Peyton, Mackynzie, Jacob, Max, Benjamin, Brody, Sam, Annie, and Grayson; brother, Gene Gage and wife Eula of Pryor, Oklahoma; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, G.A. Sampsel and Ethyl Sampsel Gage and Jake Gage; son, Jerry Pierce; brothers, G.A. “Pat” Sampsel, Lee, Howard, Riley and Ralph Gage and Charlie Collins; and sisters, Lucille White and Grace Seawright.