JoAnn Chamberlin Kierce, 75, passed away in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, after a brief illness. Born in Dallas, Texas, on March 6, 1938, and raised in Montgomery, Ala., she graduated from Huntingdon College and earned a master’s degree in speech communication from Auburn University. She was a school teacher. She resided for many years in Bessemer, Ala., with her husband, James B. Kierce, Jr., who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a son, James B. Kierce, III, of Atlanta, Ga., and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willis West Chamberlin of Montgomery. She is survived by her son, Willis C. Kierce, and his wife, Kimberly Kierce, along with three grandchildren: Philip A. Kierce (Erica) of Auburn, Christa K. Myrick (Geoffrey) of Fairhope, Ala., and Anna M. Kierce of Hoover, Ala. She also had three great-grandsons: Hatcher Myrick, Harrison Myrick, and Justus A. Kierce. Services will be held at the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Greenville, Ala., on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m. with Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Science Writing, Press and Dissemination Branch, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663, Bethesda, MD 20892-9663. For online condolences please visit www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.