For longer than most can remember, Fred Pierdolla was a prominent member of the La Vernia Community. If you lived there, you saw the sign for his business as you drove into town. He was a bigger-than-life Texas cattleman and more. I met Fred a few times when I lived in La Vernia and would see his wife Cherry driving a big Lincoln Town Car in town.
When I returned to Texas and our Church, Brother Fred and Sister Cherry were regulars at our Wednesday night services. That’s when I heard Brother Fred and Ruby Moore (Pastor’s wife) were cousins. Their relationship may have brought them to our Church, but GOD touched their hearts and both Fred and Cherry were baptized by Pastor Moore.
I got to know Brother Fred and Sister Cherry and looked forward to seeing their Cadillac pull into the parking lot. Sister Cherry took good care of Brother Fred and would steady him as they walked in and was there to help his memory when needed. They would stop and talk to everyone, and their memory was sharp for their ages.
Things began to change when their son Hollis unexpectedly passed away. It was a shock, but they were comforted that he was saved. Then another son’s cancer got worse and Pastor Moore led him to the LORD before he died. That was a lot to handle, but not long after that Sister Cherry fell at home and also went to be with the LORD.
I’m not sure how I would have handled such a loss, but Brother Fred was faithful in Church, where he found love and compassion. He grew even closer to his cousin Ruby and Pastor Moore, who filled some of the emptiness. They prayed with him almost every time they saw him, reassuring him that Cherry was doing fine. I saw a glimpse of his pain when I helped him to his truck. He kept saying how he missed Cherry and was going back to an empty house. I said, “Of course you miss her, she was a good women” and hoped that would help. He thanked me for helping him get around. When the virus closed the restaurants, it isolated Brother Fred even more. It was another blow when Pastor Moore had a stroke and they couldn’t visit. I was amazed that this man, who could afford anything, only wanted to be with his wife and spend time with his family and friends. Some will remember what that man of wealth and power had and what he did, but I remember his heart breaking as he missed his wife of 50 years.
We will miss Brother Fred, but are rejoicing that he went home to be with his loving wife and sons in Heaven. That reunion was only possible because, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Brother Fred and Sister Cherry did many great things during their lives, but the greatest by far was when they believed on JESUS CHRIST and were saved. Now they will be together forever and praising GOD for His love and mercy!
Wayne Lance (2020)