Rose Pless Case

Gussie Rose Pless Case, age 92, died peacefully at her home at Superior Residences of Brandon, FL, on Thursday, December 22, 2011, after a brief illness. She was born on January 19, 1919, in Canton, NC, to Rev. W. H. Pless and Anna Luther Pless, and graduated from Canton High School in 1935. Rose attended Brevard College, graduating in 1938, and Cecils Business College in Asheville. Her work life included secretarial positions with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (Cherokee), Duke University, the U.S. Army School of Finance, and Massengill Pharmaceuticals. She was also co-owner and business manager of Case Machinery Company, Bristol, VA, for several years. Case Machinery sold equipment for the potato chip industry, invented by Rose's husband Woody Case, worldwide. Rose was active in Methodist Women and served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher in various Methodist churches, and often volunteered her time for many other causes such as the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society, American Heart Association, and the Audubon Society. She loved the mountains of western NC, particularly any view of Mt. Pisgah which she often photographed and painted. Rose enjoyed bird watching, painting, photography, music, pets, and particularly family genealogy. In 1983 she received the Foster A. Sondley Award from Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society for her book "Kin Folks: The Isaac Pless Family". Rose was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Willie Woodrow ("Woody") Case, her brother Howard Pless and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Kathryn McManus and son-in-law James McManus of Riverview, FL, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Avenue, Asheville, on Tuesday, December 27th, from 6 – 8 pm., and at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 725 Asbury Rd., Candler, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28th, preceding the 11 a.m. service. Her cousin, Rev Dr. Dan C. McCurry will officiate with interment following at Morning Star United Methodist Church, Canton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Brevard College, Office of Institutional Advancement, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard NC 28712; or to the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society, PO Box 2122, Asheville, NC 28802-2122.