Martin Luther Pierce III

Martin Luther Pierce, III, age 76, of Dadeville, Alabama, passed away peacefully on November 11, after a brief illness.

Martin, known to some as “Butch” and to some as “Rabbit,” was born in Lafayette, Alabama, to the late Martin Luther Pierce, Jr, and Stella Jane Abernathy.

Butch graduated from Lafayette High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University.

After first meeting her in November 1973, Butch married Lisbeth “Beth” Daniell in 1978 at Callaway Gardens, Georgia.

Butch worked most of his career in management for forklift and forklift tire companies in Atlanta and Chattanooga. In 1989, he transitioned to tire manufacturing at Michelin (Uniroyal) in Opelika, AL, from which he retired in 2009.

Butch was known for his kindness, humor, dependability, and his willingness to help people. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed working with his hands.

He enjoyed golfing with both lifelong friends and new ones, road trips around the country, playing dominoes, and, his most favorite thing in the past two years, spending time with his granddaughter.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by Beth, his wife of 47 years: his children Stella Duvall (Matt) of Villa Rica, GA, Valerie Draper (Martin) of Temple, GA, Martin Pierce IV of Auburn; granddaughter Diana Draper; siblings Carol Plott (Jimmy) of Chelsea, Jane Meadows of Opelika; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 15, at Lake Martin Funeral Home & Cremation, 16797 Hwy 280, Dadeville, AL, with Jimmy Yates officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local food bank of your choice.