Betty Louise Pierce

Betty Louise Baumbach Pierce passed away on January 14, 2023. She was born on September 8, 1935, in Alexandria, Virginia to Blanche Leake Baumbach and George Baumbach and was the youngest of ten children. She grew up on Wilkes Street in Alexandria in a large family with siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles living nearby. Betty loved visiting and sharing stories about life in her old neighborhood that has become bustling Old Town Alexandria. There, she met the love of her life, Walter Cleveland Pierce, Jr., while she was a student at the former George Washington High School. They married in February of 1954. After their marriage, family became and remained a priority for Betty and Walter. The growing family moved out to the “country”, as Betty called it then, to a home a couple of miles down King Street. After baby number four, the family settled in Fairfax County, where Betty lived for over 60 years. She kept busy as a stay-at-home mom, and life was filled with ball games, swim meets, church, and community activities. Always ready for adventure, family vacations were mainly spent taking off in the station wagon with the camper in tow and exploring the country. Betty continued to enjoy travel with family and friends, and took trips to Europe, Florida, and many beaches as well as experiencing pilgrimages to Italy and the Holy Land. Always faithful churchgoers, Betty and Walter found a home at All Saints Sharon Chapel (Episcopal). Betty served in numerous volunteer capacities there including as a member of the Vestry. Following Walter’s death in 1991, Betty pursued a passion to share her gifts by volunteering with United Community Ministries and Loaves and Fishes Carpenter Shelter. After stints as a school bus driver, bank teller, and receptionist, she ultimately found her most satisfying job as a driver for Angels at Your Service. Betty felt called by the Lord to this work, and she built many lasting friendships among the clients she transported to medical appointments and necessary errands. Betty later became a member of Church of the Spirit, where she found great spiritual companionship with Sisters of the Spirit. Betty delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She could often be found blowing bubbles, giggling, and singing with “her babies”. Betty made Christmas celebrations especially fun times by coming up with games, treats, and silly gifts to add to the festivities. Possessing a fun-loving and generous nature, Betty touched many lives through her ability to make everyone feel special. She had a keen insight into people and truly loved them just as she found them. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Betty’s love and devotion to her large family was second only her love of the Lord. She often said that knowing she passed along her faith to her family gave her great joy and satisfaction. Betty believed living her faith and conveying it to those she loved was her primary vocation. Betty is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband, Walter Cleveland Pierce, Jr., and a grandson, William Cruikshank. She is survived by sister-in-law Gladys Costello Baumbach; sons Danny (Liz), Mark (Teri), and Doug (Carla) and daughter Tina Pierce Rodgers (David); grandchildren Padty, Beth, Daniel, Alyssa, Ryan, David, Jeremy, Kelly, Andrew, and Adam; great-grandchildren Sam, Jill, Ben, Mike, Abigail, Eli, Jack, Grayson, Madyson, Toby, and David; and numerous extended family members including devoted niece Connie Wiley.

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Betty Louise Pierce

September 8, 1935 - January 14, 2023