David W. Pierce was a beloved husband, father, and professor who died in 2014 due to a stroke caused by his alcohol addiction. His wife, Chonda Pierce, is a famous Christian comedian who shared their story of love, pain, and loss in a documentary called “Laughing in the Dark”. In this article, we will explore how David W. Pierce’s alcohol addiction developed, how it affected his family, and how he ultimately succumbed to its consequences.
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The Early Years of David and Chonda Pierce
David and Chonda Pierce met when they were sophomores at Cheatham County High School in Ashland City, Tennessee. David was a state champ wrestler, a guitarist, and a smart student. Chonda was a preacher’s kid and a popular girl. They became friends and then fell in love.
However, their relationship was not without challenges. David had to take care of his divorced father, who was a chronic alcoholic and known as the Ashland City drunkard. Chonda lost two of her sisters in two years, one in a car crash and the other to leukemia. They supported each other through these difficult times and got married shortly after college.
They had two children, a daughter named Chera and a son named Zachary. David worked as an English professor at Middle Tennessee State University and other colleges. Chonda pursued a career in church comedy, joking about services and fellowship.
The Rise of David’s Alcohol Addiction
As their daughter grew into an adult, she started to resent her parents for various reasons, including Chonda’s frequent travels for her comedy shows. She got married, had her own children, and cut off all contact with her parents. This was devastating for David and Chonda, who loved their daughter dearly.
Chonda noticed that David started to drink more often to cope with the pain. She grew up believing that alcohol was evil and that drinking would send her to hell. She tried to talk to David about his drinking, but he denied having a problem.
One night in 2011, David came home late slurring his words, stumbling, and rambling on nonsensically. Chonda thought he was having a stroke or a brain tumor and called an ambulance. The paramedic told her that he was drunk. Chonda felt shocked, angry, and hurt.
She confronted David about his addiction and urged him to get help. He agreed to go to rehab and counseling, but he did not stay sober for long. He relapsed several times and hid his drinking from Chonda.
The Death of David W. Pierce
On July 29, 2014, David suffered a massive stroke that left him brain dead. He was taken to the hospital, where Chonda had to make the difficult decision to take him off life support. He died on August 1 at the age of 57.
Chonda was heartbroken by the loss of her husband of 31 years. She said that she still loved him despite his addiction and that he was a good man who struggled with a disease. She also said that she forgave him for his mistakes and hoped that he found peace in heaven.
Chonda decided to share her story with the world through a documentary called “Laughing in the Dark”, which was released in 2015. The film showed her grief process, her faith journey, and her comedy career. She said that she wanted to help others who were going through similar situations and to show them that there is hope and healing in God.
She also said that she wanted to honor David’s memory and legacy as a husband, father, and professor. She said that he taught her many things, such as how to love unconditionally, how to be compassionate, and how to laugh at life’s absurdities.
