Robert "Bobby" Reavis

Robert (Bobby) F. Reavis, 84, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2015 at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living where he was cared for by a loving and supportive staff. He was born to Robert Lee Reavis and Letha Jones Reavis who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mitzie L. Reavis, son, Steven F. Reavis and granddaughter, Jessica E. Reavis of Raleigh, brother, Larry Reavis (Karan) of Winston-Salem, brother, Charles R. Reavis (Meg) of Clemmons, brother, Joseph C. Reavis (Cathy) of Summerfield, and sister, Mitzi Smith (Edward) of Northbrook, IL, and several nieces and nephews. He loved his family and was especially proud of his son Steve and granddaughter Jessica.

Bobby attended Winston-Salem schools and graduated from Hanes High School. He suffered from a very serious auto accident and did not get to graduate with his classmates at Gray High School. As a young boy, he was a school patrolman and delivered the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel newspapers earning 25 cents a day. He saved his money to buy a bicycle and he bought US Bonds with the help of his grandfather Jones. He served in the US Army in Germany from 1953 to 1955 and was a Corporal when he left the service. During those two years, he saved all of his pay. He said the Army fed and housed him and he did not have to spend any money except to pay for his laundry. His habit of saving continued all of his adult life.

When he returned home, he worked with his uncles Cline and Van Jones in the used car business. In 1958, he met and married his wife, Mitzie and traveled a lot buying cars. Finally his uncle Cline told him he was too honest to be a car dealer and he needed to get a job doing something else. In 1961, he went to work in the Print Shop of Pilot Freight Carriers and was promoted to Supervisor in 1964. In 1966, he was promoted to Director of Purchasing for the company, a post he held until Pilot Freight was sold in 1981. During those years he enjoyed and was able to travel to all the company terminals and he purchased everything the company needed except the big tires and trucks.

After his job with Pilot ended, he went to work in the Print Shop at Wachovia Bank and retired in 1995. The bank had a great savings incentive program which he took every advantage of and he developed a life-long friendship with Bob Wolfington, his supervisor.

Over the years, Bobby enjoyed going fishing with G.C. and Randal Jones, working with them, Rodney Reich and others at Bowman Gray Stadium and going to Wake Forest Football and Basketball games. He took his son Steve to every event he possibly could. He was a fan of Richard Petty and liked to travel to races around the circuit. He especially like softball games at Union Cross with Rodney Reich and childhood friend Richard Settle. A group would bring their lawn chairs and line up along the upper sideline and spend many nights talking and enjoying the games.

Bobby was an active member of Trinity Moravian Church where he served on the Board of Trustees, President of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Scout Committee for Troop 716 from 1973 to 2014. His hobby for 36 years was to make candles for three Christmas Love Feasts each year. They had to be perfect or he would strip them out and do them over. We still have beeswax on the wall behind the cabinet where he turned the first tub of melted wax. Bobby was a very kind and giving man who believed in serving others. Once when he was at Pilot Freight, one of the secretaries had her purse stolen with the money from her paycheck that she needed to pay her rent. He called personnel to get the net amount she lost, went to the bank and replaced her money. Any time he heard of someone in need, they would get an envelope with $25 or $100 with no indication of who gave it. He served Meals on Wheels for twelve years and volunteered at the Samaritan Soup Kitchen serving meals for thirteen years. He was always willing to do special work behind the scenes at work and church. Illness changed his life and personality but I hope he will always be remembered for his humble and kind manner through the good years of his life.

A special thank you to all the folks at Mallard Ridge who provided loving care and support for Bobby during this last year of his life. You always gave more than required. Thank you to Marty, Linda, Brian, and all the management staff, Dr. Tripp and his group and Hospice.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 3 pm at Salem Moravian Graveyard with the Reverend John Jackman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm prior to the service at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Moravian Church, 220 East Sprague Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127.

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