Samuel Burroughs Pierce

March 9, 2005, Buffalo Express "The Flo News"
written by Norma Moore

     Samuel Burroughs Pierce moved to Centerville in 1933. He and his wife Robbie Ann (Hopson) Pierce and two sons, Billy and Harold, came to Centerville from Houston.
     S. B. was a well known business man, being a store manager in Houston. He brought immediate success to Centerville. He purchased the Arthur Sullivan's stores an was very successful in the grocery mercantile business.
     Later, S. B. built a store on the corner where Lacey Brothers grocery store is now. He sold this store to the Lacey's in 1947.
     S. B. constructed the buildings on the east side of the square. He then had a Western Auto store in operation. Later he owned and operated another grocery store at this location.
     S. B., Robbie and their two sons were actively involved in the Centerville Church of Christ, helping with many missions of God's ministry.
     S. B.. with great love for the people, was actively involved in the promotional success for all age groups. He served wherever and whenever he was needed. He served as a trustee of the Centerville School board, was a devoted member of the Lion's club, and helped organize the first Black-eyed Pea Festival. This was a fun filled event with a parade, a Queen's contest, beard growing contest, many games, music with band concerts, crafts, children's races and black-eyed peas served to everyone from large pots on the square. There were fun events with animals. This event drew lots of people from Texas and all over the United States. This included government officials. It was a summer event that happened every summer for several years. S. B. is still recognized as the gentleman who started and established the Black-eye Pea Festival.
     S. B.'s son Billy, started a Feed business in Centerville in 1956, in a building that was previously a feed store owned and operated by Cliff Barnes. It was located in the center of the block of buildings that had been built by S. B.
     Billy opened his feed business with the sunny Southland Feeds. His first order of feed cost him a thousand dollars. He had support from E. T. Sherman, Harold Moore and his father. He became very successful and within a few years he expanded his floor space that had been Ruby's Beauty Shop. It was connected to the north side of his feed store. This time he included veterinary, insecticides, farm and ranch supplies. He offered free delivery services. He was the only operator at this time. He and his wife Lillian made the deliveries. They worked long hours.
     In 1962 Billy purchased the Rayborn McGill business, which connected to Billy's store on the south side. He added a stock of the sacked fertilizers and through the years Billy started hiring high school boys to help him with the increasing work load. Some of these boys were, Stanley Murff, Jerry Grimes, Hardy Watson, Jimmy Knight, Kyle Hardee, Vernon Wells, and Joey Sullivan.
     In the 1960's Billy and Lillian's son Tommy was old enough to work at the feed store. Tommy worked at the store and attended Sam Houston State Teachers College until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1970. By this time Billy's youngest son Bobby was working at the tore and attending Sam Houston College, until he completed his schooling. He received a degree in Agriculture.
     Billy expanded his business once again. He started a bulk fertilizer spreading business. Tommy drove the fertilizer truck and Billy and Vernon Wells were in operation of the store.
     When Bobby returned from completing his schooling, he also became a full-time employee of the feed store.
     Tommy moved on to the construction business for a while.
     In 1982, Billy decided to retire from the feed business. His sons Tommy and Bobby got together and purchased the feed, farm, ranch and fertilizer business from their dad, carrying on the legacy.
     Tommy and bobby constructed a new office and sales area in the southern part and they added a stock of western wear, boots, blue jeans and more farm supplies.
     In 1983, they added a new building on an empty lot that joined the feed store. The two brothers were very prosperous with the business. It was in operation for many years. Their legacy has been an everlasting impression.
     They, with deep love and dedication to the Centerville people has established a business that helped give an assurance of a prosperous Centerville and a remarkable heritage of family pride and honor.
     The Pierce legacy beginning with S. B. in 1933, has brought wealth and success to Centerville that will always be remembered.