Grace Gordon Pless

Giver of kindness, writer of letters, believer in the power of prayer.

Whether it was the thoughtful connection and kindness of a well-timed personal note, the generous spirit and compassion of a meaningful gift, the hope and quiet of gardening, the creativity and contentment of a flower arrangement that was just right, the welcoming invitation for a picnic overlooking a glorious Parkway sunset, the vision and optimism to lead, the loving patience to raise four daughters, or the saintly energy to keep up with and guide her husband Cecil, Grace Gordon Pless met life head on with elegance, poise and conviction.

A Tarheel through and through, Grace’s roots were firmly planted in faith and family growing up in Spray (now Eden), North Carolina. She was the seventh and youngest child of Anna Clark Gordon, teacher, and Rev. William Jones Gordon, first Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and the sister of Almeria Gordon, Nancy Gordon Dameron, the Rt. Rev. William Gordon, Jr., Laura Gordon Williams, Jocelyn Gordon and Mary Irwin Gordon. Building on this strong foundation, Grace ventured to Raleigh, where she graduated from St. Mary’s College, followed by UNC Chapel Hill, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and where she met her great joy, fellow-adventurer, and husband of 68 years, Cecil A. Pless, Jr.

After teaching for two years in the Winston-Salem Public Schools, Grace and Cecil moved back to Cecil’s hometown of Asheville, where Grace enthusiastically raised her family. Grace fell in love with the people of Asheville and Western North Carolina, and that passion became her heart’s work. A role model for civic engagement, Grace became a force in revitalizing and supporting downtown Asheville, telling the stories of the mountains and preserving the region’s cultural history. To that end, she served as Chair of the Historic Resources Commission and on the boards of Preservation North Carolina and the Friends of Mountain History. She also served on the Episcopal Diocese Foundation Board which, among other things, made grants to WNC parishes to maintain and preserve their churches.

Grace’s love, commitment, and passion for Asheville and all things downtown was best reflected in the 35 years she spent developing, nurturing, and growing Asheville’s Urban Trail, a walking tour of the city’s history based around 30 sculptural trail stations. Her humble, quiet conversations with potential donors – rooted in elegance, knowledge and conviction – successfully inspired many to give back to the community that helped shape them.

As a result of her lifelong giving, Grace received the Griffin Award from the Preservation Society, the Asheville Museum of History’s Outstanding Achievement Award, the preservation award from the Garden Club of America, and a small downtown park, “Grace’s Garden,” was created and named in her honor. Grace was also particularly proud of being named a “Downtown Hero” three times.

Although seemingly impossible, Grace filled the remaining time in her 26-hour days with: proudly following the activities and accomplishments of her far-flung children and grandchildren; volunteering countless hours to gardening and beautifying Lake Logan Episcopal Conference Center; planting, digging, and cultivating friendships and flowers at the French Broad River Garden Club, where she previously served as President and was a longtime member; enjoying meaningful telephone conversations with Shirley Gordon her sister-in-law in Fairbanks, Alaska; following her Tarheels; and to worshiping, and serving at her beloved Trinity Episcopal Church which sustained her deep and joyful faith and where she and her family have worshiped for over sixty-five years.

Grace is survived by her devoted daughters Laura Pless and her husband, Tim Bicknell of Silverthorne, Colorado, Page Pless of Seattle Washington, Elizabeth Eckl of Asheville, NC and Amy Fleming and her husband, John of Asheville, along with 6 adoring grandchildren, Alden Blatter, Melissa Chumbley, Carter Eckl, Jack Fleming, William Fleming, and Mia Eckl Cardillo and her husband Jake Cardillo, along with great grandson Cade Cardillo. All joyfully anticipated “Gigi’s” emotional reading of their Birthday Prayer, will always remember the lesson of receiving Christmas money from Gigi that was to be given away to someone in need, and each of whom would, at a moment’s notice, travel to the rolling mountain vistas of Black Balsam, to the breathtaking beaches of Hanalei Bay or to the ends of the Earth to be with their grandmother.

“Hail to the brightest star of all, Clear its radiance shine. Carolina priceless gem, Receive all praises thine.” Grace, you were perfectly named, you touched so many, and we love you always and forever.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC. A reception will follow in the church’s Tuton Hall.

Memorial gifts in honor of Grace’s beautiful life can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801, to Lake Logan, 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane, Canton, NC 28716, or to the charity of your choice.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.