Eiley Joymaria Grace LuoMinYing Pierce, age 3, gained her angel wings and went to live with her eternal Heavenly family on Dec 9, 2015. She was born on May 28, 2012 in Luoshan County, Henan, China PR. At age 1 month, she was taken to live at the Shanghai Healing Home. On Oct 24, 2013, she was chosen by the Pierce family to be their third daughter, and on Sept 15, 2014 was placed in the arms of her forever family.
Eiley Joy or the “Little One,” as she was fondly called by her sisters, had a personality that was bigger than life. When Shakespeare wrote, “And though she be but little, she is fierce,” he surely had her in mind. She never met a stranger, had a smile that could melt anyone’s heart and had the most contagious little laugh. She loved to eat bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, mac n cheese and peanut butter balls. She was a prolific little swimmer and could splash and make bubbles in the bathtub that rose higher than her head on many occasions. She loved playing outside, where swinging and sliding were her favorite activities. She was quite a tornado and much like a bull in a China shop. She loved to slam doors, splash in the dog’s water bowl and do most anything to get her Mama to tell her “No,” to which she would respond to with a big smile. She loved her GranGran, her uncle and aunts, her church family, her little friends in the nursery, and her sweet China friends whom she spent time with weekly. Most of all though, she loved to be held, cuddled, rocked and snuggled. She loved her Daddy and Mama, her three big bubbas, and two big sisters with all her little soul and might. She was the cherry on top of the sundae in her family. She was rightly name Eiley “Joy” as she brought so much joy to everyone’s path she crossed.
Surviving are her parents, Roger D. Pierce and Vicki Weatherford Pierce of Benton, KY., three brothers, Shea Pierce of Murray, KY, Evan Pierce of Murray, KY and Keaton Pierce of Lexington, KY, two sisters, Callie Beth Pierce of Benton, KY and Molly Kate Pierce of Benton, KY and maternal grandmother, Doris Marie Weatherford of Almo, KY, uncle, Steve Weatherford and wife Phyllis of Murray, KY, two aunts, Carmelia Pierce of Benton, KY and Cathy Lile also of Benton, KY. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Jesse Bard Weatherford, and her paternal grandparents, Franklin J. and Clara L. Pierce.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the New Harmony Baptist Church, 4757 Symsonia Highway, Benton, KY. Rev. Jason Sharp will officiate. Interment will follow the service in the Unity Cemetery, Hardin, KY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, December 11, 2015, at the New Harmony Baptist Church. Visitation on Saturday, December 12, 2015 will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the New Harmony Baptist Church and will conclude with the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Shanghai Healing Home c/o Linda Bowes, 625 Milikeus Bond, Covington, LA 70433.