LANCASTER, SC:::::::::::Mrs. Shelby Branham Pierce, age 75, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017. She was born May 9, 1941 in Lancaster County, a daughter of the late Tommy Leslie Branham and Margaret Elliott Branham. She was married to the late James William Steele and later to the late Emsey Buddy Pierce. Mrs. Pierce was a Certified Nursing Assistant at White Oak Manor. She was a past member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and loved her family and friends. Mrs. Pierce was a member of Elgin Baptist Church.

Mrs. Pierce is survived by three sons, Tommy Louis Louie Rutledge and his wife, Cindy of Heath Springs, Phillip Phil Ray Rutledge and his wife, Angie of Heath Springs, and Francis Fran Rutledge and his wife, Betsy of Ridgeway; four daughters, Ramona Jean Rutledge of Hartsville, Tonja Michele Pettit and her husband, Darryl of Heath Springs, Kim Williams and Karen Steele both of Lancaster; three brothers, Robert Branham and his wife, Vickie of Heath Springs, David Branham and his wife, Evon of Heath Springs
and Eugene Gene Branham and his wife, Gayle of Westville; three sisters, Barbara Robinson of Chesterfield, Louise Knight and her husband, Aaron of Kershaw and Geneva Rogers of Lancaster; 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Pierce is preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Harrington and two great grandchildren, Chloe Harrington and Colton Walden.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mrs. Pierce will be 3:00 pm, Friday, January 6, 2017 at Elgin Baptist Church by Rev. Charles McAteer, Rev. Kelvin Hinson and Preacher Cotton Pate. Burial will follow in Flint Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 pm Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Burgess Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC and other times at the home of her son, Louie Rutledge. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Elgin Baptist Church, 2303 Belmont Street, Lancaster, SC 29720 or Agape Hospice, 815 West Meeting Street, Lancaster, SC 29720.