Rev. Kenneth Frank Blease

In the early morning hours of April 25, 2023, the beloved Pastor and spiritual father, Kenneth Frank Blease entered into his Heavenly home to forever worship the Lord he has faithfully served his entire life.

Kenneth was the only child of the late Frank and Annie Leona Jackson Blease.  He was born December 15, 1943 in Wilmington, North Carolina.  At the early age of 16, he was called into the ministry serving two years pastoring a Mission in Murrells Inlet, SC.  He then entered Holmes Bible College where he met the love of his life, Joyce, beginning their wonderful life together.  After graduation, Kenneth was ordained in 1964 into the International Pentecostal Holiness Church to begin his service at the Wagener Pentecostal Church in Wagener, SC.  During this time of service, their family was blessed with three children, Kim, Duane and Michelle. In June of 1970, their family relocated to Laurinburg where they began their lifetime of service to the region at the Northview Pentecostal Holiness Church, now Northview Harvest Ministries. He was a true servant of Christ and a mentor to many who have followed in his service of ministry.  

Pastor Blease was an incredible leader and community Pastor for decades. His life of humility, compassion and integrity was evident, not only to his church and community, but to the entire state.  For his continuous service, Pastor Blease was recognized with many awards including the Scotland County Ministerial Alliance Martin Luther King Jr. 2020 Humanitarian Award, The State of NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award given by the governor of NC, and he was named Pastor of the Year for 2003 and 2008 by the S.C. Conference of the IPHC.  He happily served two terms as the District Elder for the Laurinburg District and organized a Pastors Prayer Group to help support his fellow Pastors in their work.  He had a great love for foreign missions and ministered in eight countries.

Of all his accomplishments, to him, the greatest was his family. He adored and admired his wife Joyce of 58 years, loved his children and their spouses as his own, and truly adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  The spirit of love overflowed when each of them were nearby.  He had a delayed sense of humor and contagious laughter that we all will remember.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Carrie Cole and brother-in-law, Joe Cole.

Left to rejoice in his memory are his wife, Mrs. Joyce Cole Blease of their home; children, Kim Blease Hodge and husband, Rev. Tim Hodge of Laurinburg, Rev. Duane Blease and wife, Alesha of California, Michelle Blease Prevatte and husband, Marc of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Teddy and Jodi Hodge, Kendall and Doug Kennedy, Josiah and Serena Hodge, Jordan and Kate Hodge, Jacin Prevatte and great grandchildren. Selah, Zachary, Ezra, Levi and Emmett.  He is also survived by brother-in-law, Johnny Cole and wife, Elizabeth; sister-in-law, Dawn Cole along with nieces, nephews, cousins and many devoted friends and church family.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of such a wonderful, Godly man will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Northview Harvest Ministries.  Visitation will be prior to the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Northview Harvest Ministries.   Burial will be private.

The family request for donations to be given in Pastor Blease’s memory to the Restoring Hope Center or Northview Harvest Ministries Expansion Fund, 17760 Log Cabin Lane, Laurinburg, NC 28352.

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