Betty Pierce, 87, of De Soto died June 19, 2021, at her home. Mrs. Pierce and her husband for many years owned and operated the Sky Vue Drive-In and the Melba Theater, both in De Soto. She was born Aug. 12, 1933, in Harviell, the daughter of the late William and Lessie (York) Coonce.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years: Claude Pierce; a son: Larry Pierce of Bismarck; two daughters-in-law: Cheryl Pierce of Festus and Sharon Pierce of Herculaneum; a sister: Lettie (Bud) Tyner of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren: Tonia Pierce West, Lindsay ( the late Brandon) Thomas, Adam (Lindsey) Pierce, Kali Pierce and Tyler Pierce; and four great-grandchildren: Mason West, Tristan Pierce, Alysa Thomas and Rory Pierce.
She was preceded in death by two sons: Ronald Pierce and Michael Pierce; two sisters: Helen Gunnett and Ellen Schrameyer; and three brothers: Carl Coonce, Willie Coonce and Willard Coonce,
Funeral services were private, officiated by Jimmie Turner. Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements were under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.