Ralph Howard Pless

Reverend Howard Pless, 92, a devoted Baptist minister and cherished family man, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Haywood County, North Carolina. He was born on November 15, 1931, in LaSalle, Colorado, and lived a life rich with faith, service, and family.

Throughout his 35-year ministry, Howard pastorally enriched the lives of many in five Baptist Churches. He served congregations at Piney Forest in Chadbourn, NC, Pacolet Mills in Pacolet Mills, SC, Neel Road in Salisbury, NC, Sunny Point in Canton, NC, and Cedar Shoals in Enoree, SC. As an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Canton, NC, Howard’s spiritual legacy will be felt for years to come.

Howard’s educational journey culminated in 1964 when he graduated from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Prior to his seminary education, he was a proud graduate of Bethel High School, Class of 1949. In addition to his dedication to ministry, Howard served his country as a United States Army veteran during the Korean War, an experience that shaped his values and sense of service.

In his professional life, Howard also worked at Champion International, where he made lasting contributions prior to fully devoting himself to ministry.

Howard leaves behind a loving family who mourns his passing. He is survived by his daughter, Risa Spradling (Sumner) of Browns Summit, NC; a son, David Pless (Vickie) of Fair Bluff, NC; eight grandchildren, David Pless, Jr. (Crystal), Carrie Wilson (Chris), Drew Pless (Toni), Josh Pless (Mia), Sean Pless (Melissa), Sallie Floyd, Jason Spradling (Danielle), and Carter Spradling (Meredith); as well as ten great-grandchildren, Delaney, Caleb, Harrison, Grayson, Brody, Gunner, Hunter, Emily, Jackson, and Hudson; two sisters-in-law, Bobbie Jean Bumgarner of Canton, and Iva Lee Elingburg of Candler; and many nieces and nephews who were so kind to Dad over the years. He loved them all dearly. 

Howard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Bumgarner Pless, who passed away in 2014, and several family members including his parents, James Paul and Bonnie Mae Sellers Pless, his brother, Harold B. Pless, his sister, Mary Alice Allmond, and a son, Timothy Howard Pless.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Perry Brindley officiating. Burial will follow at New Cruso Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. His family invites all who knew him to share in a celebration of his life and legacy. Howard’s memory will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched, reflecting a life well-lived in faith, love, and dedication to family and community. We know he heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

The family will gather at Howard’s residence on Friday, November 22, 2024. They would welcome anyone who would like to stop by for a visit to share memories of Howard and a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 261 Dix Creek Road, Canton, NC 28716, or North Carolina Baptist Children’s Homes, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361. 

The care of Mr. Pless has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.