Obituary of Barnie Lee Reece

Rev. Barnie Lee Reece, age 76, of Old US Highway 421, Vilas, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2023 at his home. Born April 23, 1946 in Watauga County, he was a son of Brownlow and Martha Elizabeth Oliver Reece. Lee served in the US Marine Corp during the Vietnam Conflict. His strong religious family background led him to become a preacher. He was the current pastor of Charity Baptist Church in the Bethel community and was a member of Unity Baptist Church. Lee was a loving and protective husband and father. He was a man with a great sense of humor, never met a stranger and loved good conversation. Lee was an avid fisherman, enjoyed watching football games, but especially was a loyal follower of Panthers Football. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hollar Reece; daughter, Patosha Yvonne Reece of Mountain City, TN; sons, Preston Colter Reece and wife, Karen, of Zionville and Justin Alzado Reece of Vilas; grandsons, Jacob Enoch Reece of Raleigh and Simon Adler Reece and Zachary Colter Reece, both of Zionville; brother, Lester Reece and wife, Janet of Zionville; and sisters, Sue Hayes of Vilas and Phyllis Dugger of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven sisters, Mary Bowman, Daisy Lane, Pearl Dugger, Ruth Wright, Lillian Dugger, Minnie Cook and Mollie Greenwell and two brothers, Joe Reece and Stanley Reece. Funeral services with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Legion Chapter 90, will be conducted Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2023 at 2 o'clock at Charity Baptist Church, 261 Dave Greene Road, Vilas, NC 28692. Officiating will be Rev. Derick Wilson. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services will follow services in the Miller Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist family with expenses. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Reece family.