Emma Ruth Pierce Pirkle, 85, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. She died the way she lived — with grace and dignity.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Cleveland.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Chester Pirkle; her parents, Clint Fisher Pierce and Arey Etta Pierce; and three brothers: Eugene Pierce, Paul Pierce and Ralph Pierce.

She is survived by her two sons: Mark Pirkle and wife, Stephanie, and Keith Pirkle and wife, Savana, all of Cleveland; four grandchildren: Clint Pirkle and wife Brandi, Chelsea Millsaps and husband, Shaun, and Jennifer Grisham and husband, Chad, all of Cleveland and Kacey Schock and husband, Michael, of Miami; four great-grandchildren: Addison Ruth Pirkle and Callie Emma Grisham, both of Cleveland, and Zachary Schock and Brandon Schock, both of Miami; brother, Roy Pierce and wife, Betty, of Cleveland; sister, Nell Lyle and husband, R.D., of Charleston; several nieces and nephews; and her caregiver, Connie Litton.

The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2012, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Gibson officiating.

Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service.

Clint Pirkle, Shaun Millsaps, Chad Grisham, David Litton, Brian Pierce and Tracy Pierce will serve as pallbearers.

Her family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Pirkle family guestbook at www.raphbuckner.com.