Eunice McGhee Presley-Pierce

July 9, 2022

, 85 years young, was surrounded by family in her home as she was made whole at 10am on July 1, 2022 and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She was born September 10, 1936 to Farrish McGhee and Pearl Barnhill-McGhee in the Alyssa community near Uriah, Alabama. As a child, her family moved to Walnut Hill, Florida. A few years later, she moved with her family to their 88 acre McGhee Homestead and farm located in Huxford, Alabama.

She shared many stories of her childhood. To earn money for school clothes, she would pick as many oranges as she ate until her skin would turn orange or rise early to pick cotton before going to school. Her Mother baked potatoes that she would put in her pockets to keep her hands warm on the way to school, which also made a great school lunch. Growing up on a farm she learned the art of planting, harvesting and putting up the freshest veggies straight from the field. And oh, what an incredible banquet spread she could prepare. Never afraid of hard work, she acquired a car from her sister, Daisy, at the age of 13 and began a career at Vanity Fair sewing…no license and under age.

She was close to all her siblings. You could catch her visiting with Daisy, running the roads with Aubrey, or going on a shopping spree with Eloise (who we affectionately called, Thelma & Louise). Dating consisted of sitting together at Huxford Pentecostal Church then Mother and Daddy following closely in the car behind on the way home. It was there that she met the dashingly handsome Fred Lee Presley. After marrying, they moved to Pensacola. It was there they lived and raised their three girls (Hayes Street…Hwy 29 Cantonment, Mississippi Circle and back to Hwy 29 home in Cantonment they had built together). Eunice & Fred were married 24 years. As a young adult, Eunice worked as a car hop on skates at a popular local ice cream and burger drive-in at the circle on the corner of Mobile Hwy and Warrington Road. She finally settled into her career as a school bus driver from which she retired, May 24, 2002 with 30 years of service. She often said that she wanted her house to be paid off by the last time she pulled her bus into the drive. She worked hard to fulfill that dream.

On March 15, 1977, Eunice married the wonderful E.D. “Bob” Pierce on his birthday. Oh, how they loved one another! They lived in Pensacola on B street until they designed and built a home together on Rebel Road. She wanted to start a petition to change the road name because she was anything but a rebel. They were married for 37 years. Her favorite hobby was fishing. Put a fishing pole in her hand and she would fish the hours away whether the fish were biting or not. Eunice was passionate about showing the love of Christ through her actions and the talent God had given her. Her face would light up and tears come to her eyes when she spoke of God using her through singing, testifying and playing the piano as she traveled and ministered with the Southern Gospel singing groups, “Faith Trio” (Eunice, Rosetta and Annie Mae) and the Gospel Harmonairs” (family group for over 40 years in ministry). She was so touched when people came to the altar to give their hearts to the Lord as she felt God using her to make a difference in the lives of others. She also enjoyed ministering and singing with her cousin Linda (who was more like a sister to her) and friend Barbara for several years. She fiercely loved her family! It didn’t stop there… You could say that she SIMPLY, UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED WELL! To know her was to know you were loved! Her biggest prayer request she had even written and put in her Bible was that her family would be saved. When asked what she would do when she saw Jesus, she said, “I just want to hug Him”. There are no words that can come close to sharing the legacy of faith and love she leaves behind. She was the example and glue that taught us how to to live, forgive and love well.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Farrish and Pearl McGhee; Husband, E.D. Bob Pierce; Sister, Daisy (Wes) Long); Brother-n-law, Jasper Stewart; Sister-n law, Shirley McGhee.

She is survived by: Anita Carol Presley (daughter), Judy Marie Presley (daughter), Reverend ReGina Gayle Presley (Robert) Bryan (daughter), James Aubrey McGhee (brother), Eloise Stewart (Sister), Four Grandchildren: Brian (Kellie) Malone, Taylor Edwards, Christina Bryan, David Bryan. Seven Great-Grand Children: Garrett, Michael, Kayleb & Jordan Malone; Mariah, Taylee & Avery Edwards. We acknowledge Kristy McRae & John Hawkins and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her greatly. Special thanks to Ace Jones, Faye Blue, our Poarch Creek Indian family, Ensley UMC Church family, Dr. Shepherd, Regency Hospice, Synergy Caregivers, Shannon, Grace, Eunice, Addie and especially Shay and niece, Patsy, who along with the family, ministered special loving care in times of need.

Rev. Timothy Nail and Rev. Gina Bryan will be officiating her Celebration of Life service Monday, July 11th. Visitation 9:30am, Service 10:30am @ Faith Chapel North (1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL) followed by a 12-noon graveside internment at Pensacola Memorial Gardens (7433 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola, Florida).

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries