Judith Stephens Pierce, 69, of Sarasota, Fla., died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday morning, October 15, at Dillard’s Funeral Home in Troy with Rev. David McVay of the First Methodist Church of Troy officiating. Visitation will be held before the service from 9 until 10 at the funeral home.

Miss Pierce was born June 12, 1941, in Troy, Ala., the daughter of the late Clyde and Marie Wright Pierce, Granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. E.M. Wright and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Pierce and the Grand niece of the late Governor Charles Henderson.

Miss Pierce graduated from Troy High School in 1959 and received her Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling from Troy State University. While at Troy University she received the honor of Woman of the Year. She served as Guidance Counselor for the Ozark School System for 13 years.

Survivors include one sister, Mary Pierce Anaclerio of Longboat Key, Florida, two nieces, Sheri Anaclerio of San Diego, California and Holly Nicole Pryor of St. Joseph, Illinois, 2 great nephews, 1 great niece and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Arthritis Foundation, the Building Fund for the new Troy Public Library or to your favorite charity.

To sign our online guest book, please visit our website at www.dillardfh.com.