Elmore Houston Pierce, 97, of 404 S. Marion Ave., Covington, Virginia, died September 5, 2012 at his residence.

He was born September 5, 1915 in Covington, Virginia, to the late Charles Pierce, Sr. and Rosa Moss Pierce.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna C. Pierce, four brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Pierce received a 10th grade education at Covington School and graduated from High School in Fredericksburg, VA. At the age of 14, Mr. Pierce started to work at the club house, a building owned by Westvaco. At the age of 20 he went to work at the Westvaco Mill, where he retired in 1978 after working for 49 and a half years.

Mr. Pierce was a World War II veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in Central Pacific in the 52nd Anti-Aircraft Bn. He is scheduled to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the Marine Corps posthumously.

In 1988, he became the first black member of the Covington City Council representing District 3. He was the only candidate for a special seat on council created as a part of a settlement of a voting rights lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The settlement created five voting wards for Covington, one of them the black majority District 3, from which he ran and served a four year term.

He leaves to mourn his loss one daughter, Constance Barnett and husband Walter of Covington, one son, Roland Pierce Sr. and wife Ernestine of Richmond, six grandchildren, Carmaleta Bowers and husband Fred, Roland Pierce Jr., Sheila Chaplin Pierce, Keith Pierce and wife Cynthia, Jacquelyn Pierce, and Robin Pierce, all of Richmond, eleven great grandchildren, Kienda Bryce of Richmond, Kahlida Caple of West Hollywood, CA, Jonnell Landsman of Ownings Mill, MD, William Pierce of Reston, Lyndsay Niles, Esq. of Vienna, Sheena Pierce of Alexandra, Ebony Ross, Jaques Pierce both of Richmond, Sherria Anderson of San Antonio TX, Larnell Pierce, Jordon Pierce both of Richmond, four great-great grandchildren Aaliyah Thomas, Miasia Studivant both of Richmond, Knox Landsman of Ownings Mill, MD, and Lucas Anderson of San Antonio, TX, Nephews are Raymond, Charles, and Gary Pierce all of Chicago, Ill, Nieces are Rosa Mae Merritt of Iowa and LiLa Bullock of Maryland, and several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday September 11, 2012 at the graveside in Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Matthew T. Barnett officiating.

Active pallbearers were Gary Wayne Twitty, Lewis P. Venable, III, Darren Venable, Steven Twitty, Thomas Twitty, Leonard Jones, T.L. Dickerson, Jr. Honarary pallbearers will be James Poteat, Linwood Twitty, and Richard Jones.