Joel Piercy

Joel Piercy, 70, of Hickory, NC, and formerly of Morganton, went to his eternal home on Monday, January 23, 2012 following several years of declining health. Born April 22, 1941 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of the late Clyde Vernon Piercy and Edith Cluo Lindsay Piercy. Joel was a member of Enon Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school. He enjoyed watching WWE "Wastlin", the Dallas Cowboys, and the UNC Tar Heels. Joel was an avid gardener who loved flowers and plants. Mr. Piercy proudly served in the U. S. Air Force from 1959 until 1963, and, at the time of his discharge, he had attained the rank of Airman First Class with a specialty as a navigation system mechanic.He is survived by his wife, Gail Cole Piercy of the home; daughters, Dolores McCorkle and husband, Aaron of Claremont, NC, and Brittany Gladden and husband, Gary of Morganton; grandchildren, Jessica, Andrew, Lily, and Brileigh; great-grandchildren, Noah, Sincere, and Khalil; siblings, Barbara McGee and husband, Bud, and Jannette Moore and husband, Wade, all of Morganton; Gaynell Donnelly and husband, Gary, Wanda Johnson and husband, Rick, Lucy Cagle, and Richard Piercy, all of Rutherford College, Kenneth Piercy and wife, Bea of Connelly Springs, and Garry Piercy and wife, Jenny of Hickory; and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Clyde Piercy; an infant brother, Harold Dean Piercy; and an infant sister, Nancy Carolyn Piercy.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Enon Baptist Church with the Rev. Ernie Richards officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of the NC National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Thursday one hour before the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of personal choice. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with arrangements.