Bonie Pierce: Painter and Carpenter

N.B. "Bonie" always kept busy working, looking for ways to make money to support his wife and nine children. And like most farmers, Bonie learned many skills besides just those needed to grow crops.

One-time neighbor Mallory Brannan recalled that “Mr. Bonie was a hard worker. He was a painter and jackleg carpenter. He went to Mobile to paint houses and do carpentry.” He did these sideline jobs especially during the winter months.

For a time Bonie worked as a painter for the Mobile County Public School System. In the above photo, Bonie is the man standing with his hands on his hips. He is surrounded by other painters for the school system, perhaps some of them are from Wilmer, too.

Photo courtesy of Lucille Pierce Hogancamp.