Gail Hope Pennell Pierce

Gail Hope Pennell Pierce (03/22/1938 – 06/10/2026) was a seamstress, a server and a devoted servant of the Lord— a faith she embraced wholeheartedly for the 88 years she graced this earth.

Now reunited in heaven with the love of her life, James Albert Pierce, she leaves behind children and grandchildren who will forever cherish the bonds she stitched between generations — held together by her faith, her love and a healthy dose of sass.

The daughter of sharecroppers, Gail grew up moving from harvest to harvest and town to town, longing for a place to put down roots and start a stable family of her own. She met James at age 16 and was married to "Daddy" for 62 years until his passing — nearly all of it spent in the same home they built together in Statesville, North Carolina.

As a young woman, Gail bought a Studebaker that carried her from place to place and rode alongside James on motorcycles with the wind in her hair — before it became clear her signature perm was a permanent style.

Even then, she was never one to wander far from home.

Statesville was where she praised God as a longtime member of Southview Baptist Church and where she began working as a server at Howard Johnson’s — once daring to try one spoonful each of the restaurant’s 28 ice cream flavors. The experience made her so sick she never tried it again, but she never lost her sweet tooth for Nutty Buddy bars and chocolate Frosty treats.

Her persimmon pudding and Cherry Yum Yum rightfully became family favorites — flawless, flavorful endings to holiday meals that also featured her famous potato salad, broccoli-cheese casserole and fried okra, grown in her garden alongside flowers and other vegetables she canned herself.

No one left Gail’s house on an empty stomach — and truthfully, no one wanted to leave at all. She opened her home to family members in hard times and to neighbors in need, always making room for one more at the table.

Her generosity was not born of privilege but built on hard work. Until her retirement from Bassett Furniture at age 65 — with time taken to raise her children, Sandra Wilusz (Jeff), Beverly Nicholson (Shay) and Allen Pierce — Gail worked as a seamstress, sewing couch cushions for a living. She also made Halloween costumes for her children and Thanksgiving costumes for their classmates’ holiday programs, because Gail always did what she could.

Her independence could look like stubbornness at times — resisting home upgrades, Wi-Fi and the idea of using a cane – and she had a few falls toward the end, to her family’s concern. But one thing about Gail: She always got back up.

She eventually came around to the internet, especially once she realized Facebook let her keep tabs on loved ones from afar — even if commenting and replying remained beyond her abilities.

What she cherished most, though, were visits from her grandchildren: Ryan Wilusz (Katherine), Katelyn Pierce and Ethan and Nora Isenhour. Whether playing with Power Rangers, Transformers, board games or dolls, Gail was never too old to meet them at their level.

In return, her grandchildren sat beside her through whatever “Andy Griffith” episode or silver screen movie came on next — including the commercials that tugged at Gail’s heart and inspired donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Gail is survived by her brother, Bill Pearson (Linda), sisters, Geraldine Smith and Mary Lynn Pennell along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tressie Pennell Pearson and Hershel Pennell, and siblings Jimmy Pearson, Lawrence Pearson and Mary Ramon. Gail devotedly cared for James until his passing in 2023.

The family is forever grateful for two extraordinary caregivers, Sherry Williams and Bernice Pearson. Bernice kept her well‑fed with the home‑cooked meals she loved and Sherry made sure her outings were filled with joy by taking her to all her favorite places to shop. Their kindness, patience, and devotion helped keep her well and independent.

Photographs of family and friends were always within reach, displayed just steps from the living room chair where she spent so much of her time. In the end, Gail was exactly where she wanted to be — at home, surrounded by memories of the ones she loved.

Her needle now rests still, but what she sewed remains: a family made stronger by her steady hands.

The family will greet friends on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Troutman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. John Parks and nephew, Rev. Micheal Pardue officiating. Burial will be held at Iredell Memorial Gardens following the funeral service.

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.

Arrangements for Gail Pierce are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.