Mr. Hassel Oscar Respess, age 82, a resident of 4308 Day Beacon Drive, Belhaven, died Monday, May 7, 2018 at his home.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Long Acre Chapel Christian Church officiated by Scott Askew and Cris Noble. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. His grandsons: Shaun Respess, Justin Furlough, Ryan Bishop, Reg Bishop, IV, Michael Bishop, Jr. and Aaron Schaefer will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Respess was born in Beaufort County on November 4, 1935, son of the late Oscar Respess and Mary Elizabeth Latham Respess. He was a 1954 graduate of Pantego High School and attended East Carolina University. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Mr. Respess retired from Weyerhaeuser and was with the Beaufort County Board of Education from 197 – 984. He was a volunteer fireman with Long Acre Fire Department and served as an Elder and Sunday School Superintendent at Long Acre Chapel Christian Church.

Faye West Respess, the mother of his children, preceded him in death. He later married the former Mary Ella Bell who survives. In addition to his wife, Mary Ella, of the home, he is survived by his daughter: Sharon Respess Weaver and husband Lynwood Weaver, Jr. of Raleigh; his son: Craig Hassel Respess of Pamlico Beach; his step-daughter: Carolyn Victoria Furlough of Cary; his step-sons: Reginald Hodges Bishop, III and wife LaDee Brown Bishop of Pantego and Michael Waddell Bishop and wife Angie Baker Bishop also of Pantego. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Shaun Respess, Candice Schaefer, Justin Furlough, Lexy Bishop, Reg Bishop, IV, Michael Bishop, Jr., Ryan Bishop and Ashton Bishop; his great grandchildren: Ella Respess and Collin Respess and his beloved cat: Mocha. In addition to his parents and his first wife, he is preceded in death by his brother: Ronnie Respess.

The family will receive friends 6:00-7:30 PM on Wednesday at Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven and other times at the home.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

On-line condolences may be addressed to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven is honored to be serving the Respess family.