Henrietta Long Pierson departed this life at her home in Milton, Delaware on Monday January 9, 2017, surrounded by her family. "Chick" as she was happily and famously known by family and friends was born on December 11, 1925 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and was the last of her generation of the Long Family in Rehoboth. She was daughter of the late
Maude Long Wolfe, James Burton and Stepfather, Vincent Wolfe.
 
Henrietta attended Elementary School in Rehoboth,  Lewes Jr. High School  in  Lewes, Delaware and attended high school at Howard High School and graduated from Carver Vocational School, both in Wilmington, Delaware.
 
At a very young age, Henrietta was drawn to the piano. She enjoyed playing the piano so much, she would stay in during recess and play away, knowing she didn't have one at home
to play.She had a God given gift and could play any note she heard played or sung. Her teacher suggested to her mother that she might want to have her take lessons which she did and rest is history! Her beautiful music was known near and far, especially in the African American Churches.  For many years 'Chick'  played for the Sons of Joy, Nassau and Lewes Male Choruses.
 
"Chick" worked in several venues and for several families at the beach and in the city after graduation. In 1946, she met and married the love of her life, James Pierson who preceded
her in death in 1988.
 
With her unique style at the piano, Henrietta played for the choirs and choruses at her home church, Mt. Pleasant U.M. Church (now Faith U.M. Church) where she continued to play full
time after she relocated to Milton, Delaware. She later played part time at Faith and part time at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Milton at the age of over ninety years old when she became too ill to continue.
 
She was a former member of several organizations at Faith, including the Usher Board and  the  W.S.C.S( now United Methodist Women). She was also a former member of the
Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post # 11, P.T.O. at Rehoboth Elementary 200C and the Sunshine Circle Club where it was her idea to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a banquet in 1988, a celebration that has continued for twenty-nine years.
 
Although Henrietta did not have biological children, she became  mother to Josephine  Dean after the death of her mother Hester Dean, and mentor to many
children in her community and will be greatly missed.
 
Survivors: Daughter-Josephine Dean, & Grandchildren /Step Daughter -Terri Reid & Grandchildren  / Cousins : Charlotte Johnson  of California /  Lefton(Tony) Harmon & Lucille Harmon / Emma & Thomas Harmon / Estelle & Hurley Waples /  Oliver & Bernadette Allen / Close friends Robert & Maxine Savage, other special cousins, many other relatives and friends.

Services: Saturday Jan 14, 2017 at 11: AM /Friends may call at the church 2 hours before service.

                 Bethel A M E Church / 328 Mulberry St. /Milton, De 19968

Arr: Miller Funeral Home & Cremation Services /11475 Commercial Lane / Laurel, De 19956

302-947-1144 & 302-745-8406 / www.millerfuneralandcremation.com

 Service Information