Rubye Sadelle Pierce died peacefully in the company of her family at 89 years of age the evening of April 22, 2015 at Guardian Angel Homes in Richland, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Leo Richard Pierce, and her daughter, Melodie Jade Pierce-Rust.

Sadelle was born at home, the sole daughter of five children, in Heber Springs, AK on January 18, 1926 to Henry Plumer and Annabelle Smith. She had humble beginnings and remembered a charmed childhood on her parent’s cotton farm. She was curious about the world and all in it, excelling in her studies. Sadelle was very creative, loved singing with gospel choirs, and played piano at her family’s church.  As a young woman, she moved to Memphis, later joining her brothers in Richland in 1943.  She enjoyed being a part of Richland’s early days before marrying her husband, Leo, in 1946. They moved to California where their two sons were born, later making their permanent home in Richland where their three daughters were later born. Sadelle was active in Richland’s early Hanford Days and the founding days of Richland’s Orthopaedic Guild. She loved raising her children, homemaking, and enjoyed sharing her home’s beautiful gardens with all that visited. She proudly owned and operated her bridal and formal wear store in Kennewick, WA.

Sadelle’s three deceased siblings were Herthal Plumer ‘Buddy’, Hubert, and Theodore ‘Babe’. She is survived by her younger brother, Jack Smith of Kennewick, her two sons Richard Pierce of Suquamish, WA and Saipan, CNMI,  Robert Pierce of Pasco, WA and her two daughters Teresa Pierce of Renton, WA and Kim Delaney of Surfside, FL.

A public funeral will be held at Events at Sunset, Richland, WA, Wednesday, April 29, 12:00. In lieu of flowers, Sadelle would be pleased for any donations to be sent to The Master Gardener’s Washington State Chapter.