1923
Nellie
2015
Nellie Marceaux Pierce
September 15, 1923 — June 21, 2015
She will be laid to rest at Esther Community Cemetery. Pallbearers include her grandsons Michael Vaughn, JD Pierce, Kevin Campisi, and Aaron Crenshaw, and her nephew Jean Paul Perrodin and dear friend Edward Diaz.
Nellie Marceaux Pierce was born south of Kaplan September 15, 1923. The oldest of six girls and two boys she became the family cook at an early age and mastered Cajun cooking. The Marceauxs were rice farmers and cattlemen. These skills she brought with her when she married at 14 in 1937 and moved to Intracoastal City with her husband Casey Pierce. He was drafted into the Infantry in World War II and she was the only one left to run the fledgling farm while caring for two small children and his aging grandparents. She inspired and supported her children's careers and interest in the arts. Nellie was a grandmother at 35. With her children grown and gone to Los Angeles, she went back to school for her GED and enrolled at UL in speech and English Literature.
From 1973 to 1998 she lived in Corpus Christi, working hard for a successful real estate career at Century 21, often excelling in top listings, top sales, and income simultaneously, promoting business with gumbo and Cajun joive de vie. Nellie grew up dancing to Cajun music and always enjoyed her solid French roots. When the country music sound that she listened to in the 40s and 50s came back in the 70s and 80s, she waltzed across Texas at Mickey Gilleys, The Yellow Rose, and Doc Holidays.
On her return to her home on the river in Abbeville, she oversaw the development of Bayou Marron Subdivision on Pumping Plant Road and the family business in Intracoastal, relishing the time to visit more with friends and family. From award-winning pecan pies and homemade butter from the farm, to gumbo for three dozen Hispanic guests at the home of friends in Honduras...or any of the delightful lunches or dinners both impromptu and staged for family and friends, you were always lucky to be at Nellie's at mealtime.
The decades added generations...grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great. The children and grandchildren of dozens of nieces and nephews, and cousins and good friends were all part of her extended family. Nellie accepted the gifts and the take backs of all the years, with the spirit of the young girl who lived on within her. Blessed be that spirit. Nellie passed on sitting by her pool on Father's Day June 21, 2015.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lucy Broussard and Odilon Marceaux Sr., her sisters Maudry Fontenot and Evelyn Broussard, and brother, Odilon Marceaux Jr. and her husband Casey Pierce. She is survived by her daughter Russie Tiller and her husband David Tiller, her son Dave Pierce and his wife Sarah Fox, sisters Roberta duVernay, Mary Lee Hebert, and Martha Lee, and brother Gabe Marceaux, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. She is sadly missed by her long time neighbor Malcolm St. Romain.
After the services family and friends are invited to gather at the Woodlawn Chapel at 8001 Woodlawn Road to celebrate the life of this great lady.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles Street, on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Thursday June 25, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nellie Marceaux Pierce, please visit our flower store.
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