Charles O.C. Pierce

Charles O.C. Pierce, was born July 6, 1928 in Bastrop, LA. Charles was the eldest of 10 children, five from the late William Ben Pierce and Jessie Mae Scott; five children from Jessie Mae and Willie Carter, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruby Jewel Carter; brothers, William Pierce, Cosby Pierce, James Pierce, Willie Carter, Jr. and Fred Carter; one grandson, Anthony Chandler; and his loving wife of 68 years, Margie Pierce.

He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age at the Blue Run Church in Webster Parrish, LA. Charles worked tirelessly helping his mother provide for her young family. He completed school to the 10th grade. Charles highly valued education and as an adult, proudly completed his GED from the Kansas City Missouri School District.

As a young man, Charles relocated to Kansas City, KS. While attending Sunday School as a visitor at Antioch Baptist Church, he met his future wife, Margie Johnson Hawthorne. He became her one and forever “boyfriend”. They united in holy matrimony November 20, 1947 and were blessed with eight children.  Charles was an industrious, hard-working man. It was not unusual for him to work several jobs at a time to provide the best for his growing family. He owned and operated Palace Cleaners in Kansas City, KS, in the mid-1950’s.

In 1958, Charles joined The Kansas City Terminal Railway Company at Union Station. Charles often spoke of working his way to the top. He started as a humble elevator operator and later became known as “The man in the  red suit.” Charles was the “fixer” of every challenge that  occurred on his watch at Union Station. He was elected as  President of the Janitorial Labor Union Workers.

Charles’ kind, respectful nature, general love of people and keen sense of humor prepared him well to be a trailblazer as the first black Passenger Service Agent for AMTRAK in 1971. Later he was promoted as the first black Assistant Station Master for AMTRAK in (what was then) the St. Louis district, spanning a region from Iowa to Colorado, and to the south to Jefferson City, Missouri.

On October 22, 1979 The Southwest Limited derailed in Lawrence, KS. Charles was the first AMTRAK representative on the scene to address the needs of the passengers. He secured transport to Kansas City for them, provided compassionate care, attended to the injured, and reunited families with professionalism. Later, Charles was honored in Washington, D.C. by AMTRAK with its highest award by then-President of AMTRAK, Alan Boyd, He retired from AMTRAK after 31 years of faithful service.

As a young man, Charles was ordained a Deacon at Antioch Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS. He served as Chairman of the Deacon Board there under the pastorate of the late Rev. A. D. Banks. The Pierce family relocated to Kansas City, MO in 1961. The following year, Charles and his family united with Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. I. H. Henderson, Jr. on 43rd and Montgall. It wasn’t unusual to find him leading the call and response devotional on Sunday morning, after working all night at the railroad. His tenor voice was strong, clear and spirit-filled. Charles was the Superintendent of the Adult Sunday School Department, Chairman of the Deacon Board, member of Bus Ministry, Laymen, and Male Chorus, Promoters Club, and the Cheerful Helpers. Charles served on the Pastoral Search Committee for Friendship, also.

In the community, Charles served in the Town Fork Neighborhood Association. He was known as the “Neighborhood Dad”, often taking kids to the 43rd Street Boys Club, Interscholastic League Field House, or anywhere else his kids were playing. The last words Charles spoke were in prayer for his children (who stood at his bedside) and grandchildren. Charles was excited to visit with his grandchildren via FaceTime. He told them how proud he was to be their grandfather. Charles said it was the best day of his life. Charles expressed gratitude for everything the family had done for him and asked for God to keep them together. Early the morning of October 28th with his daughter, Karen, by his side, Charles answered to his new name, “servant”. He was reunited with the love of his life, Margie.

Left to cherish his memory are his three sisters, Madie Todd (Milan, MI), Dorothy (Al) Avant (Tinley Park, IL), and Margie (Jesse) Gibson (Florissant, MO); brother-in-law, Andrew (Gloria) Johnson (Kansas City, MO); sisters-in-law Anna Pearl Lemons (Sacramento, CA), Easter Pierce (Evansville, TN), Elnora Pierce (Houston, TX), Amanda Pierce (Milwaukee, WI), Rachel Pierce (Los Angeles, CA), Anna Carter (Chicago, IL); three sons Mark (Carolyn) Pierce, Sr. (Kansas City, MO), Kevin (Linda) Pierce (Bloomington, IL), Paul (Sheila) Pierce, Sr., (Kansas City, MO); five daughters Charleszetta (Calvin) Shelby (Kansas City, MO), Cassandra (O’Lan) Butler (Olathe, KS), Cynthia (Dennis) Daniels (Lilburn, GA), Karen Smith (Thousand Oaks, CA), and Nancy (Patrick, Sr.) Young (Kansas City, MO).

Charles also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, Marla (Anthony) Russell, Mark Pierce II, Stephanie (Ralph) Coleman, Andrea (Everette) Bannister, Sharita Shelby, Samantha (Rory) Horne, Brandon (Jennifer) Shelby, Shalaunda Pierce, Paul II (Carolina) Pierce, Patrick Young Jr., Aya Diaz, Lauren Pierce, Matthew Pierce, Robert Young, Michael Pierce, Marissa Pierce; eight great-grandchildren, Michael, Aaron, Mikayla, Olivia, Camille, Summer, Kaysen, Londyn and one great-great grandson, Zayne. He has a host of other relatives and friends who will miss his smile and laughter.