Susan Waitt Hughes Pleasant

1939 - 2024

Susan Waitt Hughes Pleasant

February 20, 1939 - October 13, 2024

Susan Waitt Hughes Pleasant, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2024, after a brief illness. Smart, witty, well-read, and just a bit irreverent to the end, Susan was loved by family, friends, and caregivers alike.

Susan was born on February 20, 1939, in Greensboro, NC to Robert Knox Hughes and Mildred Boswell Hughes. She grew up in Asheboro, NC, attended Asheboro High School, and graduated from Salem College. She began her career as a reporter for the Winston-Salem Journal. She later moved to Fayetteville, NC where she worked as a social worker and then as a teacher. After taking several years away from her career to raise her children, Susan returned to teaching at Lumberton High School. She enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher of English, history, humanities, and journalism both in Lumberton and in Guilford County at Eastern Guilford High School. She earned her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke while teaching full time. Known for her passion for learning and her dedication to students, she inspired her classes to think critically, explore their creativity, and develop a lifelong love for knowledge. Her impact as an educator was profound, leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where she taught.

Susan was a dedicated and faithful Christian, serving as a Deacon, choir member, and Circle leader in the Presbyterian Church over many years. She loved to read, and she wrote poetry throughout her life. Susan also loved researching genealogy and was a member of the Mayflower Society, tracing her lineage to John Howland, a passenger who infamously fell off the Mayflower and fortunately was hauled back aboard.

Susan is survived by her two sons, William Pleasant (and wife Shannon) of Hickory and Thomas Pleasant of Wilmington; her grandchildren, Benjamin Pleasant (and wife Megan Meadows) of San Francisco, Alexander Pleasant of Raleigh, Matthew Pleasant of Gainesville, GA, Oliver Pleasant (and spouse Rae) of Denver, CO, Samuel Pleasant of Poughkeepsie, NY, Seth Pleasant of Wilmington, and Abbagail Pleasant of Wilmington; her brother, Bob Hughes (and wife Barbara) of Sanford, NC; and her beloved cousin Martha Jo Meserole of Alexandria, VA. Susan also leaves behind many former students for whom she was an inspiration and mentor.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the many dedicated team members at Trinity Village, Susan's home for the last six years. Their dedication and the care and compassion they showed for Susan over the years was extraordinary.

A service celebrating Susan's life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church in Hickory. The family will receive visitors after the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Susan's memory by making a donation to support the dedicated staff who cared for Susan at Trinity Village, part of Lutheran Services Carolinas. Checks may be mailed to Lutheran Services Carolinas at 1265 21st Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601. Please include "Trinity Village Staff Appreciation Fund" in the memo line. Donations may also be made online at https://lscarolinas.net/donate-onetime/. Please select "where needed most" and add a note specifying "Trinity Village Staff Appreciation Fund." Your generosity will help continue the compassionate care that meant so much to Susan and her family.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory in Hickory is serving the family of Susan Waitt Hughes Pleasant.