Frances Reaves

Frances Hampton Reaves passed away on May 4th, 2017 after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Jonesville, North Carolina on September 27, 1939. The only child of Roy and Mary Sprinkle Hampton, she graduated from Catawba College and became a lifelong educator.

Frances taught and worked in NC public schools for over 30 years, retiring as principal of West Middle School. She loved her “kids” and talked about them frequently as well as her former teachers and staff.

Frances was also very involved in her community of Troy and Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church where she served previously as a Vestry Senior Warden and on the altar guild for many years. Following retirement, she served on the Montgomery County school board, Firsthealth board. She loved politics and welcomed a good, heated debate from everyone. Frances was always the life of the party. She enjoyed good food and drink and was the consummate hostess. She loved all types of music especially Motown hits from the 60’s and 70’s and danced whenever possible.

She was an avid sports fan, and became one of the first season ticket holders for the Carolina Panthers. She always loved the Panther home football games tailgating with friends and cheering on the team through good times and bad. For nearly 20+ years she loved traveling with her Woodrun friends to attend the annual Army-Navy football game.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George T. Reaves, in 2007. The two traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii as well as across the United States, including her favorite trip to watch the Panthers in the 2004 Super Bowl.

She is survived by her daughters Beth (Chris) Snyder, of Mandeville, LA, Susan (Dean) Valentine, of Los Angeles, CA, Jennie (Glenn) Avery, and Susan Reaves both of Charlotte, NC; sons Bill (Liz) Reaves, and Mike Reaves both of Tucson, AZ; 13 grandchildren whom she adored and one great granddaughter.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Friday, May 12, 2017, at 11:00 at Christ Episcopal Church of Albemarle, 428 Pee Dee Ave, Albemarle, NC, officiated by Father James B. Bernacki.

The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church, PO Box 657, Albemarle, NC 28002 or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Reaves family.