Rev. Dr. Atheal Pierce of East Dublin transitioned on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at his residence surrounded by family.

The fifth of ten children, the Rev. Dr. Atheal Pierce was born on February 26, 1940 in Wrightsville, Johnson County, Georgia to the loving union of JB Pierce and Clara Bell Kelley Pierce.  The Rev. Dr. Atheal Pierce accepted Christ at an early age being baptized into the Baptist faith.  A native of Georgia, he was a member of the first graduating class of B.D. Perry High School in Laurens County, Georgia.  Upon graduation, he continued his studies at Tuskegee University graduating with a doctorate in theology.  He remained in Alabama residing in Montgomery, where his faith as a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Zion – allowed him to serve over forty years as pastor of various districts, with the opportunity to minister in Vietnam and to visit the Holy Land.  He furthered his education receiving  a doctorate in education  from Ohio State in Agriculture Education and receiving a doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Dr. Pierce retired from Tuskegee University in 2011. When asked if he wanted to return to work his response was "I plowed my row to the end", one of the favorite sayings for this country boy born in Oconee, Georgia. He would often say in conversation with his sister, "I kept my eye on the prize, and in talking with others, he would respond, "That's just wonderful" and  "That's just the way it is".

The Rev. Dr. Atheal Pierce was preceded in death by his father J.B. Pierce, his mother Clara Bell Kelley-Pierce, four brothers, Herbert Pierce, Herschel Pierce, Joseph Pierce and Henderson Pierce; nephews:  Kenneth "Boy" Pierce and Christopher Charles Johnson and niece Shenita Pierce.

He leaves to hold dear in his loving memory his brother, Lee Mack (Linda) Pierce; a devoted sister Caldonia Pierce, a loving sister, Fronie Ann Pierce; a devoted niece, Charlene Denise Johnson; a devoted nephew Christian Edward Johnson and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Clara - Minnie Memorial Chapel  of the L.M Pierce Funeral Home,427 Floyd St, Sandersville, GA 31082, on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 12 noon to 6 p.m.   Funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 12 noon at the Brown Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Buckeye Road, East Dublin, GA with Rev. Neal Dixon officiating.  Interment will be in the Pierce Family Cemetery.