Mary Jane Pierson

Mary Jane Pierson was born in Argonia, Kansas in May of 1932. She grew up on a small farm and was famous for everything from hanging by her feet from the windmill to putting the cold baby piglets in the oven to warm.

Mary Jane grew into a tall, slender beauty who longed to go to college. She enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma where she was destined to meet her future husband, a theological student named Jim Pierson. They were engaged and married in June of 1952. Jim became a minister in a small church in Jet, Oklahoma and this was where they started their family.

Jim was offered a position in Los Angeles as the Associate Minister at Wilshire Christian Church and Mary Jane embraced the city and church life. Downtown Los Angeles was a big change from small town life but she accepted her roll and did it well. Their next move took them to Griffith Park and a little church there. Mary Jane always immersed herself in church programs and became an important part of their success. During this time the Pierson family grew by two more and they were now a family of five. Jim decided to enroll at Claremont Theological Seminary for his doctorate and they moved once more. Mary Jane was a gracious participant and settled the family into an apartment on campus. She was amazing in her ability to transition.

After his graduation, they moved to the San Fernando Valley to another church. Mary Jane worked nights at the Van Nuys Emergency Hospital. Every night she headed out with a large Hershey bar and a six pack of coke to get her through the night. They rounded out their family with one more child. And the family was complete. Three daughters and one son.

Another few moves came to pass. They moved to Dayton, Ohio and Mary Jane found joy in her job at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The pomp and circumstance deeply agreed with her, and she gained great respect from those she worked with, including a highly decorated Colonel.

Their move came full circle when they returned to Los Angeles and Wilshire Christian Church where Jim became the lead minister, where they stayed until he retired. Mary Jane became very involved in the educational program, especially when the Korean Congregation joined Wilshire Christian. She loved working with the children. She also worked for the Vice President of Colwell Banker. When he transferred he made certain Mary Jane was with him. She was also active with a philanthropic organization called PEO, providing educational scholarships for young women.

Their final move took them to Bakersfield, Jim's home town. Mary Jane facilitated everything, knowing it would be good for the family if they had everything taken care of. She wanted to be settled for old age. Mary Jane began to lose her memories...and herself. She was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's and stayed strong for several years. She succumbed to injuries from a fall and passed on November 30, 2021.

Mary Jane leaves behind three daughters, one son and his wife, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She will be forever missed.

A visitation for Mary Jane will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park Canyon Venue, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, being laid to rest in Sunrise lawn.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Pierson family.