Frances Iola Carter Pless

Frances Iola Carter Pless, 96, of Rockwell, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Salisbury.

Frances was born August 25, 1927, in Mecklenburg County to the late Albert Luther Carter, Sr. and the late Mary Elizabeth Auten Carter.  She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, George Luther Pless, Sr.; daughter, Mary Ann Sifford and her husband, Terry Sifford; and brother, Broadus Carter.

Frances graduated from Landis High School.  She was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Concord, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, served in the nursery and coordinated the altar flowers.  Frances was also active in the Women of the ELCA and Friendly Circle.  In the community, she was a member of the Rimer ECA.  Frances enjoyed cooking and babysitting.  She was a loving wife, mother, and Mamaw.  Frances will forever be loved and dearly missed.    

Survivors include four children, Jerry (Joyce) Pless, Janet (Larry) Stirewalt, George (Betsy) Pless, Jr., and John (Christy) Pless; 13 grandchildren, Tim (Janie) Sifford, Steve (Rosemary) Sifford, Meredith (John) Harrison, David (Debra) Pless, Emily Pless, Jacob (Sarah) Stirewalt, Adam Stirewalt, Andrew Stirewalt, Ryan (Scarlette) Pless, Ethan (Jocelyn) Pless, Avery (Rebecca) Pless, Savannah Pless, and Colson Pless; 13 great-grandchildren, Madison, Salem, and Sedona Sifford, Marianna, Emma, and Justin Harrison, Kate and Jenny Pless, Maggie and Mollie Stirewalt, and Carter, Caleb and Claire Pless; two brothers, A.L. (Joyce) Carter, Jr. and Wade Carter Sr.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 11:45 am, Monday, January 15, 2024, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Concord.  The funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the church, officiated by Pastor Marty Ramey.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org); Shriners Hospitals for Children (donate.lovetotherescue.org); or to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Pless family.