Obituary of Saretta E. Pierce

Saretta Eugenia “Genie” Pierce, 81, of Bridgeton, NJ, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2019 while surrounded by her family. 

Born in Atlantic City, NJ on January 7, 1938, she was the only child to the late Henrietta Evelyn (Jones) Harris and David Payne. 

Saretta was the beloved wife of Garfield James Pierce, Sr. with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. She is survived by five sons: Garfield James Pierce, Jr. (Leslie), Curtis Jeffrey Pierce (Yolanda) Maurice Anthony Pierce, Sr. (Maria), Emery Leslie Pierce (Lorna), Charles Gregory Pierce (Mariluz) and one daughter: Sherry Lynn Mosley (Clifton). She also is survived by eleven grandchildren: Natika Pierce, Clifton Mosley(Kelly), Saretta Dudley (Devin), Dana Ojukwu (Justice), Justin Mosley, Elyse Pierce (Robert) Melissa Pierce, Maurice Pierce, Jr. (Maribel) Micah Pierce (Stevie), Sergio Pierce, Kayla Pierce and six great-grandchildren: Jasmine, Marilena, Amylia, Graciella, Osondu and Chinedu. 

Saretta grew up in Philadelphia, PA and later moved to the Bronx, NY with her mother and aunt, Helene Wilder, who had a large part in her upbringing. She received her high school diploma while attending the High School of Art and Design, in Manhattan. There her love for the arts flourished.

She dedicated her life to Jehovah and symbolized this by water baptism on July 22, 1953 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Saretta was a member of the Centerton, Salem, and Downtown Bridgeton congregations for many years. There she supported her husband in his many assignments as an elder and helped to bring up her children in the faith. Upon moving to Lawnside, she attended the Somerdale congregation where she gained many more new friends and shared in the preaching work. She enjoyed informal witnessing to her nurses, dialysis technicians, drivers, doctors almost anyone she came in contact with. She even shared in cart witnessing at the local train stations. 

She was employed in various capacities over the years. She worked as a seamstress in a dress factory, served as a cafeteria aide for Fairfield Township Schools and spent many years as a health care aide for Meridian Nursing Center. Her love, kindness, and easy going nature drew many people to her. She was easy to talk to and a great listener, she showed concern and care for everyone she met. 

Throughout her life, Saretta enjoyed drawing, sketching, painting and birdwatching. She loved traveling with her family and spending time with her children, grand-children and great grand-children. She loved music and often listened to smooth jazz while doing word search puzzles. She also enjoyed watching cooking shows and singing competitions. She adored her“grand” dogs Martini and Brandi who followed her around loyally. Saretta was dearly loved and will be missed by many. 

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service this Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 631 Somerdale Road, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012. Memories, thoughts and prayers may be extended to the family through the funeral home website at padgettfuneralhomes.com.