Martha Stakias

Asheville Martha Pless Stakias, 85, of 409 Piney Mountain Drive, died Saturday, June 30, 2012 at The Haven at Highland Creek, Charlotte, NC. Born in Canton, Martha lived most of her life in Buncombe County. She was a member of St. Pauls United Methodist Church. She was the daughter of the late Paul and Marjorie Duckett Pless, and was also preceded in death by her husband, James Donald Stakias; sister, Polly Bradley; and brother, Joe Pless. Surviving are her son, Dr. James A Stakias and wife Mary of Kingsport, TN; daughter, Sandy Spencer and husband Dr. James R. Spencer of Kannapolis, NC; Gabriela Neri Avila of Puebla, Mexico, who was like a daughter to her; grandchildren: Elizabeth Sites and husband Brett, Meredith Reel and husband Steve, Sara King and husband Daniel, James Richard Spencer, Jr. and wife Sarah, and Jennifer Stakias; great-grandchildren: Hannah Kathryn Reel, Stephen Benjamin Reel, Jr., James David Reel, Peyton Meredith King, Bryce William King, and Savannah Grace Spencer; and sisters: Margaret Keyes and Rosemary Prigoff, both of Asheville and Sarah Helegsen of Florida. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-3:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.