By Staff
Heber L. Respass, Jr., age 89, a resident of 10865 NC Hwy 32 S, Plymouth, NC died Monday, January 4, 2010, at Washington County Hospital.
Family will receive friends and family Wednesday, January 6, at 6-8:30 p.m. at Maitland Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 7, 2010, at Maitland Memorial Chapel of Plymouth officiated by Rev. Leonard Bowers. Burial will follow at the home site cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers will be Kevin Beasley, James Elrod, Brian Harrison, Rex Harrison, Dennis Respass, and Justin Respass.
Mr. Respass was born in Washington County on February 12, 1920, son of the late Heber and Emma Respass. He was educated in Washington County and became a Washington County farmer where he served on various boards. He was one of the pioneers of the Albemarle Drainage District and one of its first blackland farmers. While a major part of his life was spent on the farm, he also formed the HLR Corporation which involved itself in construction and logging. Heber spent considerable amounts of time with friends around the old country store playing cards, shooting pool, playing checkers or horseshoes, or just plain talking about the next deer hunt. Heber was a Mason of 32nd Degree and made serious efforts to make his dues and contributions for support of the children’s home. Heber was a member of Hope Free Will Baptist Church of Plymouth.
Mr. Respass served our great country proudly as a Staff Sergeant, Infantry in WWII and was a decorated Veteran. His heroic actions reflected the finest tradition of the United States Army. For gallantry in action he received three Bronze Service Stars; Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal. As a father, he always provided for our family’s needs, but also taught us the joys in life and made us proud by selflessly offering his services to our country for the greater good.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Elouise Ange Respass. Surviving children are:  Brenda Respass Forrest and husband, Roger, of Plymouth; Heber Ange Respass and wife, Ellen, of Plymouth; and Myra Respass Beasley and husband, Jerry, of Plymouth. Grandchildren are: Orville Jones and wife, Denise, of Belhaven; Tana Jones of Colorado; Ginger Elrod and husband, James, of Washington; Justin Respass and wife, Shannon, of Greenville; and Kevin Beasley, of Plymouth. Great-grandchildren are: Reid and Brett Mizelle; Keith and Kellie Elrod; Andrew, Haiden and Harper Respass. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Keith Allen Respass, and three brothers Dallas Roland Respass, Irvin Hunter Respass, and Billy Bruce Respass.
Paid Obituary