Maxine Wilburn Pierce

Maxine Wilburn Pierce, 84, of Rusk, passed away peacefully at her home on July 1, 2022, with her family at her side.

Maxine was born on January 20, 1938 to Elray and Vonnie (Reider) Wilburn in Nacogdoches County, Texas in “The Bog.”

Maxine attended school at Central Heights where her many friends lovingly called her Mickie. After graduation, she attended secretary school in Dallas where she lived with her sisters. On January 26, 1962, Maxine married Jerry Don Pierce and they enjoyed 60 loving years of marriage. They made a home in Palestine while JD worked for Union Pacific railroad until he was transferred to Freeport. Maxine loved the coast, but eventually they found their way back to East Texas.

In Rusk, Maxine made a wonderful home for her children and all their friends. She and JD often hosted hamburger cookouts for the entire high school football team. She attended First Baptist Church for 45 years and was a part of WMU as mission work was important to her. She taught Mission Friends to many 3-5 year olds though the years. Perhaps her favorite activities were hosting a nursing home luncheon each month for years until Covid shut it down and hosting the Prisoners’ Visitor Center, which locals call “the little blue house.” She was also an avid member of the Rusk Garden Club and enjoyed growing many plants and flowers. But perhaps, Maxine is best known for her homemade bread which everyone agrees is a special treat.

Family was important to Maxine and she made holidays special. She went all out for Christmas and everywhere a person could lay their eyes, there was a Santa to see. Her house was always stunningly decorated at Christmas. She hosted many family Easter celebrations and was not above bribing the older children into hunting eggs with the younger children by hiding cash inside a few eggs. Her family will miss her special touch and her always ready laugh.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Elray and Vonnie Wilburn; siblings, Myra Beth Wilburn Winder and Clarence Ray Wilburn; father-in-law and mother-in-law Cecil and Lyllie (McMoyle) Pierce; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Faith Smalley.

Her survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jerry Don “JD” Pierce; sons, Don Terry Pierce, Jerry David Pierce and wife Carol Sue; daughter Melissa Basse and her husband Bryan; grandsons, Jeremy Don Pierce, Nathan David Pierce, Jarrett Daniel Basse; granddaughter Cecily Maxine Basse; and sister Flo Bostick. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, and many adopted grandchildren who were friends of her biological grandchildren.

A service for Maxine will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Rusk. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 PM also at the church.

Brother Brian Givens will be officiating. Burial will follow at Tecula Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Pierce, Nathan Pierce, Jarrett Basse, Cecily Basse, Darrell Wilburn, Darren Wilburn, and Brent Wilburn. Honorary pallbearers are her many loved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their compassionate care during this most difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Mary Hill Davis Easter Offering, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, or to the Prisoners’ Visitor Center. Contact First Baptist Church of Rusk for details.

Services have been entrusted to Wallace Thompson Funeral Home of Rusk. You may leave condolences for the family at www.wallacethompson.com