Cover photo for DeVeryl Pierce's Obituary
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DeVeryl

DeVeryl Pierce

d. March 13, 2025


Graveside service arrangements will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

DeVeryl "De" Skinner Pierce December 16, 1921 – March 13, 2025 

DeVeryl "De" Skinner Pierce, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025, at the beautiful age of 103. Her life was one of resilience, faith, music, family, friendship, and adventure. Just days before she passed, she was playing the piano, socializing, and enjoying games with family and friends. De was never without a smile or a laugh and lived life with great class and style.De was born on December 16, 1921, in Davidson, Oklahoma, to Roy and Eunice Skinner. She was raised in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she was baptized and remained a faithful member throughout her life. Her faith shaped her resilience, service, and love for others. Growing up during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, she learned the values of hard work and perseverance, finding joy in faith, family, and music.Music was a constant in her life. Her family filled their home with hymns, and by the age of 17, she regularly played the piano on many local and regional radio stations. She performed on the radio with a musical quartet group called The Harmonettes and provided live piano accompaniment for silent films. After attending beauty school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she returned home and opened her own beauty shop.On August 22, 1941, De married the love of her life, Melvin Wayne Pierce. Together, they raised two sons, Gene DeWayne (1943) and Ken Ray (1945). Their journey took them to various places, including Seadrift, TX; Victoria, TX; Leavenworth, KS; Page, AZ; and Basalt, CO. Music remained her refuge, especially during difficult times, including the heartbreaking loss of her eldest son, Gene. Later, De and Melvin embraced the open road in retirement, traveling the country in their fifth-wheel camper, making friends everywhere they went, and sharing music at campgrounds.After Melvin’s unexpected passing in 1987, De moved back to Page, Arizona, where she spent over 30 years deeply involved with her family and the community. She made many cherished friendships and served as the senior center president, where she led skits and activities. She also volunteered at the hospital auxiliary and played the piano for multiple church congregations along Church Row, often playing for several services each Sunday. She never stopped learning—taking email technology classes at the senior center and even playing Super Nintendo with her grandkids. Her great-grandchildren loved watching her speed run Super Mario Bros in under 20 minutes at the age of 90, creating unforgettable memories for them.In 2013, she followed Ken and his family to Utah, where she loved being close to the eleven grandchildren he provided her. However, she proudly maintained an independent lifestyle. She remained a faithful servant of the Lord, reading the Book of Mormon daily, and continued making friends wherever she went. She spent her final years at Spring Gardens Senior Living in Lindon, Utah, where she was deeply loved and appreciated.De is survived by her son, Ken Ray Pierce; grandchildren Shayne (Heidi) Pierce, Brady (Keely) Pierce, Bryon (Darcy) Pierce, Travis Pierce, Jared (Emily) Pierce, Kaleb Pierce, Joely (Jacob) Huggard, Dorey (Jeff Hall) Ponce, Benjamin (Tiffany) Pierce, and Lynny (Peter) Jones; 52 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Alvin Skinner and Eunice Laura Morgan; all of her siblings, including Chartley Floyd Skinner, Homer L. Skinner, Ogle Roy Skinner, Harry Ernest Skinner, Robert Elwin Skinner, Marietta Skinner, Zelmer Gene Skinner, and Zella Dean Skinner Shaw; her beloved husband, Melvin Wayne Pierce; her son, Gene DeWayne Pierce; her daughter-in-law, Trudy Kay Bennett Pierce; her grandson, Dan Dorin Pierce; and her great-grandson, Isaac Edward Pierce.She lived by her mother’s words: "Things work out for the good to those who love and serve the Lord." She remained independent and physically active until the very end. Her music, laughter, strength, and unwavering faith will never fade. She will be deeply missed.Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, 2024, at 10:30 AM in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel; 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah. The interment will take place at a future date in Davidson, Oklahoma.

Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home  "Service Beyond Expectation"  SINCE 1905

111 N. 11th Street, Frederick, OK 73542   (580) 335-2112


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Graveside Service

Friday, March 21, 2025

Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)

Davidson Cemetery

Davidson, OK 73530

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