MonticelloLive

On Friday December 28th Derrill Pierce’s lengthy battle with illness ended when he passed from this life while undergoing treatment at UAMS.

He suffered his disease without complaint and with extreme dignity. When asked, “How are you doing?” he always replied “Couldn’t be better.” even when he was weak, thin and pale.

Mr. Derrill was extremely proud of his wife, Lanell, and their sons. His eyes would sparkle when he spoke of them. He was a man of faith, hope and charity. No matter how busy he was, working on projects that would frustrate even the most patient of people, he always made time for anyone who needed him.

To sit and visit with Mr. Derrill was an experience to be treasured. His gentle and caring nature shown through as he listened to you attentively and thoughtfully. He never passed judgment or gave his opinion unless he was asked. He had an incredible gift for putting things into their proper perspective. He knew that in order to progress, you must be willing to change.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mr. Derrill from the time he arrived in Monticello until he recently retired. In that time he taught me many valuable lessons. There are many things he told me that I will always hold dear and remember. One of them I’ll share with you now. I was in his office to discuss a project and community issues surrounding it, as I began to explain past efforts and outcomes he said in his sincere and gentle voice, “We can’t keeping doing things exactly the way we’ve always done them and expect to get a different result.” He was right.
I find comfort in the knowledge that Mr. D. is with his Lord and Savior in Heaven today. He’s healthy and without pain now. Mr. D., like so many of his generation, has given us a life example of integrity, honor, respect, dignity, dedication, work and commitment. His has been called “The Greatest Generation” and rightfully so. I am convinced that the only way to truly honor their memory is to raise our level of self-expectation and performance to the level set by them.

In honor and memory of Mr. D.

Nita McDaniel