Helen Nolen Rayfield Pierce

Hoover

Helen Nolen Rayfield Pierce, age 93, passed away Wednesday morning at her home in Hoover. The Columbiana native was a member of Riverchase United Methodist Church. Helen was a long-time Federal employee. She joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1960 when the Marshall Space Flight Center opened in Huntsville. There, she experienced the growth of our nation’s space exploration program.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Elvis L. Nolen and Pearl Roper Nolen; first husband, George W. Rayfield; and second husband, John A. Pierce, Jr.

Survivors include Helen’s brother, Billy J. Nolen of Wilsonville; nieces, Nancy Thomas (Tommy) of Franklin, Tenn. and Jenny Cooper of Wilsonville; nephew, David Nolen (Denise) of Birmingham; and several cousins.

The funeral was Feb. 8, at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Chapel in Pelham. Burial was at Wilsonville Cemetery.