Melva Ann Pierce-Hurst

Melva Ann Cothran Pierce-Hurst lived her life, on earth, serving her Lord and Savior and on April 18, 2025, she was called to her heavenly home.

Melva was the only child of Barbara Cordelia Roberts Cothran and Melvin Durant Cothran. She was born on February 2, 1945 in St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas and raised in Pasadena where she attended Richie Elementary, Jackson Junior High, graduated from Pasadena High School and attended San Jacinto Community College. While in high school, she was active in F.H.A. She was also active in the First Assembly of God Church in Pasadena, where she gave her heart and life to her Savior, Jesus, at the age of nine. As an adult, she taught Sunday school and became a youth leader and an officer in the Christ Ambassador Youth Department. After she married Hiram Earl Pierce, Jr., together, they continued their roles as youth leaders and later, became teachers of the Primary Children’s Church.

In 1968, Melva and Hiram were blessed with a daughter, Katrina Lynn. From that day forward, Katrina was the jewel in her life, always loving her, proud of her, and they watched out for each other. They shared a very close relationship as not only mother and daughter, but like sisters, friends, prayer partners, and sisters in Christ. However, Melva was loved by many and affectionately known by many names, Mother, Mom, Miss Melva, Granny Melva, Grandma, or by whatever the kids decided to call her.

Melva moved to Freestone County where she worked with her parents to establish licensed childcare facilities in Freestone, Limestone, and Leon Counties. In 1977, she went to work for what is now Freestone Medical Center in Fairfield and during this time, received her degree in Radiology. She also earned her registry with the American Registry of Radiological Technologist. Melva went to work in 2001, accepting the Mammographer position for Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia, retiring in 2004 due to an injury to her back.

After 40 years of being single, Melva met and married Everett Hurst and welcomed his four children into her home and loved them as her own. A couple of years after Everett passed away, she met James Lott. He remained a very special friend and loving caregiver for the remainder of her life.

Although Melva was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Mexia, she also enjoyed visiting other churches. Her other interest included crocheting, reading, especially her Bible, dancing, listening to music, and most importantly, spending time with family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett Hurst; granddaughter, Kristie Mitchell; son-in-law, C. Dean McClinton; grandson, Dustin Richards; and Everett’s children, Jay Hughes and Rusty Varner.

Melva is survived by her daughter, Katrina Bounds and husband, Kelly, grandchildren, Danielle Smith and fiance, Jordan Fisher, John McClinton and wife, Katherine, and Reagan LaForge and husband, Anthony; great grandchildren, Kristine McClinton, Adler and Archer La Forge; all of Everett Hurst family; and James Lott’s family.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home with Reverend Marcus Sheffield officiating. Interment will follow in the Antioch Cemetery in Luna.