Willard "Plum" Pierre

Baldwin, LA

A Celebration of Life for Willard "Plum" Pierre, will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, 10:00 AM at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Charenton, LA, Rev. Paul Godfrey, officiating.

Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM, until the commencement of the celebration at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Charenton, LA.

Willard will be interred at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Cemetery in Charenton, LA.

Willard Pierre loved family, a good plate of fried catfish with white beans and a well-manicured lawn. Anybody who passed 301 Malcolm Street was likely to see him in the yard in his Norward coveralls, white and yellow gloves and straw hat on his riding lawnmower or carrying one of the many, many weed eaters he wore out cutting grass at home and Mount Pleasant.

His philosophy on life was simple: Everyone, whatever their status in life, ought to hold up their end of the bargain. Whether that was taking out the trash, bringing sodas to the barbeque or making sure not to leave unnecessary tasks for the next shift when he worked the carbon black plant. He wasn't shy about letting you know his opinion and could talk junk with the best of them, a remnant of his baseball-playing days.

He loved Mount Pleasant and invested countless hours helping to keep up with the finances, renovations or whatever else needed doing. Whenever health allowed or he wasn't at work, he was at Sunday Morning Worship at Mount Pleasant—even if that reduced the time he could yell at the TV during New Orleans Saints games.

He was fiercely independent even as his health waned. Doctors, family and friends were always in awe as he recovered from open heart surgery, more than a dozen angioplasties and illnesses including diabetes and kidney disease. His super power was always believing that he would get up and live to fight another day. When his children took the keys to his car after one too many close calls, he and two friends concocted a scheme. They got a new key made at the dealership and temporarily  'liberated' the car from where it was being stored. He was determined to roll until the wheels fell off. And he did just that, staying active and engaged with friends, family and his church community through more than 25 years of retirement. He always looked forward to eating, enjoying a plate of ribs just two days before he transitioned on July 4, 2025.

Willard Pierre was born on Nov. 30, 1934. He was the last of eight boys born to the union of Oscar Pierre and Virginia Garrison Pierre. He was a lifelong member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

On September 4th, 1970, he married Louise Pierre, cementing the "Peaches and Plum" moniker that they became known as. Married for 55 years, their home on Malcolm Street in Baldwin was often the site of sleepovers, large family gatherings and Sunday dinners. They departed this earth three months apart.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory: children Deborah Williams (New Orleans,LA), Penny Pierre (New Orleans, LA), Steven Pierre (New Orleans, LA), Sharon Williams (Pensacola, FL), Robert Pierre (Washington DC), Kevin Pierre (Denton, TX), Francine Prince (Antoine) Franklin, LA; grandchildren, Al John Williams Jr., Angel Williams, Juwan Pierre, Ashton Williams, Jalil Pierre, Jalyn Pierre, Andrea Pierre, Alayna Prince, Andre Pierre, Ashlun Prince, Nikki Moore, Tyrus Williams, Larracia Simmons, Lynesia Carson, Amber Pierre, Roman Green, Jazz Hewitt, Kristen Bowser, Kiristen Thomas, Patrick Thomas Jr.; 10 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; godchildren, Darrel Perry and Deidra Perry-Williams; two sisters-in- law, Bettye Pierre and Gloria Pierre Lovings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Virginia Pierre; his wife, Louise Pierre; son-in-law, Al Williams Sr.; seven brothers, Russell Pierre, Sr., Rufus Pierre, Edwin Pierre, Sr., Edmond Pierre, Milton Pierre, Sr., Alton 'Lit' Pierre, and Miller 'Bob' Pierre; two children, Cherry Pierre and Crystal Bowser.

MK Dixon Funeral Home, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, LA 70514.