Gussie Jones Pless

GUSSIE JONES PLESS, 93, of Little Rock, through the Grace of Arkansas Baptist Hospice, went home to her heavenly father on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. She was born Aug. 27, 1921 at the Wattensaw Community, Lonoke to a WWI veteran, Eugene Lawrence Jones and Marcia Elsie Thompson Jones, who started her mothering role at 16 upon the death of her mother. Gussie started public school riding a homemade school bus to Beebe. Upon graduation from Beebe Junior College, she contributed to the WWII effort working at the Jacksonville Munitions Plant. Then she began a 36-year career at the Arkansas Employment Security Division as a secretary, retiring as a computer systems analyst, balancing career and the raising of two rambunctious daughters beautifully. She actively participated in the integration of the Arkansas State government workers. Church and family were Gussie's love. She served her church as Sunday Training School teacher, nursery volunteer, volunteer for the International Group and the church office. Her door was always open; vacations were often donated to family visits and, no matter what celebration or crisis, Gussie was always there for family. Gussie never sought the limelight; never realized she was a pioneer for women. She leaves a grieving family, remembered as a loving spouse, mother, grandmother and as one of the brightest stars in the heavens. Survivors include her husband, Harold Herbert Pless; daughters, Alice Ann Smith and husband, Ron and Maribeth Pless. Grandchildren include Troy Lee Smith and wife, Melissa, Danielle Nicole Courtney and husband, Craig, and Abigail Rose Hudspeth. Her great-grandchildren are Klarissa and Timothy Shafer, William Smith, Trevor and Emily Courtney. Martha Lou Tanner, John Early Jones and James Victor Jones are her surviving siblings. Her sister, Alice Tate, preceded her in death. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Wattensaw Baptist Church (Hwy. 31 north of Lonoke), officiated by Rev. Ed Simpson. Burial will follow at Wattensaw Cemetery. Memorials in her honor may be sent to Wattensaw Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, the American Red Cross and Arkansas Children's Hospital. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mrs. Pless' online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.