Robert Lewis Pierce, 85, of Leachville, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at St. Bernards Medical center in Jonesboro. Born in Hornersville, Mo., he was the son of the late Lewis Christopher and India Mae Ellis Pierce and had been a longtime Leachville area resident. Mr. Pierce was a prominent area farmer and landowner, had served with the Leachville Housing Authority as a founding commissioner since 1963.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Pierce.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Turner Pierce of Leachville; two daughters, Beth Pierce Pool and son-in-law, Jim Pool, of Sherwood and Anita Gale Pierce of Leachville; a brother, Jean E. Pierce, and sister-in-law, Jean Pierce of Leachville; a sister, Frances Pierce Jones, and brother-in-law, Leo Jones of St. Peters, Mo.; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Pierce of Leachville; two grandchildren, Lauren and Nicole Pool, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Howard Funeral Chapel in Leachville with Jimmy Young officiating. Burial was in the Leachville Cemetery.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

To sign the online guest register log on to www.howardfuneralserivce.com.