Mr. Ernie Lucas "Skipper" Pierce, Jr. passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 at the West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital.  He was born August 7, 1939 in Tiptonville, TN to the late Ernie and Maggie Michaelcheck Pierce.  He was a 1957 graduate of Tiptonville High-School.  Following high school, he served in the United States Army as a wrecker and recovery specialist in France and Germany.  Following discharge from the army, he joined his father farming for many years in Lake County.  He was a member of the American Legion and served on the board of directors and as President of the Lake Co. Farm Bureau. He was a long-time member of the Tiptonville First United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley McBride Pierce, his sons, Ernie "Skipp" Pierce III (Teresa) and William David Pierce, his daughters, Susan Harned, Karen Hulme and Sharon Morehead (Andy) as well as being "Paw" to his nine grandchildren, Maggie Pierce, Deanna Moore, Ann Lillian Pierce, Eric Harned, Carrie Ruth Hulme, Collin Hulme, Meredith Callens, Jacob Callens and Montana Morehead and one great-grandchild, Bracey Moore and his sister, Elaine Landrum.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Maggie Michaelcheck Pierce, a brother, Jerry Pierce and a sister, Marie Herr.

Visitation for Mr. "Skipper" Pierce will be on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to begin at 1:00 at the Tiptonville First United Methodist Church with interment to follow in the Tiptonville City Cemetery, conducted by Rev. Barbara Blackman-Fortune.  Pallbearers will be Collin Hulme, Jacob Callens, Chris Naifeh, Jackie Flowers, Montana Morehead and Eric Harned.  Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the FUMC Men's Sunday School Class, including Cliff Barry, Sr. Alan Butler, Albert Markham, Tommy Ray Lovell and Bubba Chadwick.

The family request that memorials be directed to the Tiptonville First United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers.