SUNBURY – James Staley Pierce, Jr., 74, of 149 Silver Springs Road, Sunbury, died Friday, November 5, 2010 in his home.

Mr. Pierce was born in Gates County and was the son of the late James S. Sr. and Ora Hobbs Pierce.

A retired farmer, he was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church where he had served as chairman of the board of deacons, superintendent of Sunday School and as a Trustee.  He was a former member of the Sunbury Ruritan Club.

Mr. Pierce had served on the Gates County Board of Education; was an eight year member of the Gates County Board of Commissioners, serving as its chairman; and had served as a delegate for five years on the Albemarle Commission.

He was a member of the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department from 1964 to 2008, serving as its chief numerous times.

An Army veteran, he had received its Expert Pistol Badge, and was proud of his service on the military honor guard.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Helen Hofler Pierce; two daughters, Kirby-lynn Pierce Parker and husband, Jack, and Staley-marie Pierce White and husband, Robie; a sister, Sarah Leigh Slinger; and two grandchildren, Pierce Jarrett Parker and Sarah Elizabeth White, all of Sunbury.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2010 in Beulah Baptist Church by the Revs. Tom Hall and Ron Parr.  Burial will follow in Damascus Christian Church Cemetery.  Friends may join the family at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the memorial fund of Beulah Baptist Church, in care of Mary Ellen Briggs, 421 Acorn Hill Road, or to the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Dept., in care of Tom Perry, 270 NC Hwy. 32 North, both in Sunbury, NC  27979.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.