MARTHA JANE PIERCE, 84, of Huntington, dedicated wife, loving mother, nana, sister, friend, and widow of Billy Jack Pierce, Sr., passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012. She was born on September 2, 1927 in Beech Creek, WV, a daughter of the late Young and Sally Hessie Mitchell Kennedy. She is survived by her children, Jennifer (John) Tipper of Albuquerque, NM, Beth (Steve) Gwilliams of Huntington, and Billy (Cindy) Pierce Jr. of Freeland, MI; sisters, Mildred Dean of N. Mankatu, MN and Dixie Irvin of Huntington; brother, Ray Kennedy of Meador, WV; grandchildren, Martha (Tony) Love of Quantico, VA, John-Paul Gwilliams of Huntington, and Jeffery Tipper of Albuquerque, NM; step-grandchildren, Stacy (Nathaniel) Wall of Lehi, UT and Tyler (fiance Jennifer Frye) Gwilliams of Huntington; great-grandchildren, Pierce and Alyssa Love; step great-grandchildren, Grayson Wall; dear friend, Frances (Mac) McCaleb and a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Pierce worked at the C&O hospital for 23 years and retired from Cabell Huntington Health Dept. in 1992. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Huntington for the excellent care and service given to their mother during her illness; Jo Ghiz, RN, Margie Copley, SW, Tina Gillam and Robin LeGrand, CNA’s, and to the Emogene Dolin-Jones Hospice House for their services. Many thanks to hospice volunteer Shirley Henson for giving her time and to Kathy Thornton for assisting in our mother’s hospice arrangements. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Thomas Dannals and staff for their dedication and excellent care given to both our father, Billy Jack Pierce, Sr. and our mother during their illnesses. Thanks to Crystal Smith, caregiver, who helped care for our mother early on in her illness. We appreciate all the friends and family who prayed and showed concern for our mother. A very special thank you to Pat Ramey, caregiver, for her constant dedication and loving care given to our mother and our family throughout her illness. Her kindness and gentle care was much appreciated. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Beard Mortuary, Huntington, with Pastor Jerry Warren officiating. Entombment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. at the mortuary.