Albert Holden Pleasant

Albert Holden Pleasant, age 86, departed this life for his heavenly reward on December 11, 2022. He passed peacefully in his sleep at the V.A. Nursing Home in Jackson. Albert was born July 23, 1936, in Terry, Mississippi to Marion Grant Pleasant, Sr. and Lena Mae Richardson Pleasant. He graduated from Terry High School in 1954, after which he served in the U.S. Army from 1955-58 where he was primarily stationed in Germany.

After serving in the army, Albert began a career in dental sales. At one time, he knew every dentist in Mississippi. He joined the staff of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry when it was founded in 1973 and helped admit the dental school’s first class in 1975. He worked full time for the dental school until 1998 and continued in a part time role until 2010. Albert was an honorary member of the Mississippi Dental Assistants Association and received Employee of the Quarter in April-July 1997.

Albert joined the 972^nd Medical Detachment of the Mississippi National Guard in 1977 and retired from guard duty in 1996 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. His unit was activated during Operation Desert Storm and stationed at Camp Shelby.

Albert taught Sunday School and served as a deacon at Terry Baptist Church. He also served as a deacon at Pinelake Church. His hobbies included gardening, growing daylilies, fishing, and hunting. He often received yard of the month in Terry. Albert was a member of the Reservoir Lions Club and received Lion of the year in 1986-87.

Albert is survived by his wife, Gaylyn Pleasant, his children Carol Baker (Rex), Dr. Chandler Pleasant (Whitney), and Kelley Hall (Jerry). Stepchildren Tim Ross (Amy), Compton Ross (Karen), Laura Beth Hellinghausen. Grandchildren Rachel Ryan (Eli), Hillary Mattei (Alec), Win Pleasant, Caroline Pleasant. Step grandchildren Emily Ross, Olivia Ross, Compton Ross, Cameron Ross. Great grandchildren Annie Mattei, Hallie Mattei, Presley Ryan. He is also survived by his sister Frances Mitchell (Billy Charles), along with many nieces and nephews.

Albert Pleasant was a gentle man who never said a critical word about other people. He loved his country and his family. He loved animals, including the racoons and possums he fed on his back porch. He trained the fish in his pond to come to the surface when they heard him approach at feeding time. If God has a garden, Albert is in heaven today tending to God’s daylilies.

The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14^th, at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram, with visitation from 12:00-2:00 p.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations on behalf of Albert Holden Pleasant to be sent to Children’s of Mississippi, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.