Elwood Pierce, age 86 of Albemarle, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2012 at Mt. View Manor, Bryson City, NC.

The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle on Friday, September 14 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

The funeral service will be held following the visitation in the Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 AM, officiated by Rev. John Thomas Vannoy, III. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Park. Military honors will be performed by the Stanly County DAV, Chapter 12.

At other times, the family will meet at his home, 1013 Patton Avenue, Albemarle.

Mr. Pierce was born in Davidson County on March 9, 1926 to the late Ernest Lafayette Pierce and the late Lilly Henderson Jackson Pierce.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Josephine Cox Pierce, of the home; one son, Curtis Pierce and his wife Sarah of Eden, NC; two daughters, Mary Jo O’Barr and her husband Ken of Goshen, KY and Susan Vannoy and her husband Tom of Purlear, NC; two brothers, Troy and Lacy Pierce; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Pierce was a member of West Albemarle Baptist Church. He retired from Pepsi Cola after 38 years of service. He proudly served his country in the US Army during World War II.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Pierce family.