DeBerniere T. Pierson

DeBerniere "Dee" Pierson (Debnam), 77, of Selma, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA.  She was born on April 10, 1947, in Selma, NC.

Dee was a loving individual who cherished her family and her hometown of Selma.  In her youth, she loved working with her mother in the family florist business.  She had a passion for ballet, relished her mother's homemade fried chicken, and spent memorable weeks at Carolina Beach with her family and friend Linda.  Dee was an accomplished piano player and enjoyed playing pieces from Dr. Zhivago.  Dee graduated from Selma High School and Selma Business School with pride.

In North Carolina she met William Pierson SR - Air Force Sargent and they were married.  Shortly thereafter they moved to the Washington, DC area and began their careers and new lives with their newborn child William Pierson JR.

In her career, Dee worked in administration at Knerr and Barsanti, Hughes, and later as a Contracted Project Manager at the Central Intelligence Agency.  She never revealed the scope of her project work.  Her dedication and hard work were clear throughout her professional journey as she was consistently recognized throughout her career.

An avid reader, Dee loved the political and crime thriller genre eagerly anticipating the next release of books written by Lee Child or Tom Clancy.   Dee's interests included knitting, cooking, and most importantly saving and adopting animals, reflecting her compassionate nature and love for all living creatures.  She also had a keen interest in her family tree tracing it back to May 6th, 1636.  Dee’s favorite activity was simply spending time with her son William, affectionately known as Tige to family and friends.   Together they enjoyed outings to the movies, seafood restaurants, beach, aviary, and sightseeing wherever the road would lead.  She was a true "Soccer Mom" and was incredibly supportive in helping the Reston Raiders win multiple State, Regional Championships, and endless victories in tournaments held from Easter to Christmas for several years.  She dearly loved everyone on those teams!

She is survived by her son, William Lester Pierson JR, daughter-in-law, Rebecca Elizabeth Grazier, and nieces and nephews Pamela Sellers, Angelo Sellers, Anthony Sellers, and LH Debnam III. Dee was preceded in death by William Lester Pierson SR, her mother Lela Debnam, father LH Debnam II, Loomis Hector Debnam, Jean Debnam (High), Edward Debnam, Loomis DeBerniere Debnam, James Walton Debnam, Estelle King, Uncle Johnnie Talton, Aunt Jessie and Miss Addie.

Arrangements entrusted to English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. Services will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Paws-Ability or www.paws-ability.org in honor of Dee's love for animals.  Dee had an infectious personality and will be dearly missed by all who met her.

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