Reece Deese

Reece Vance Deese, born February 14, 1936, to Fred and Foda Deese in the Cottonville Community of Norwood, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 27, 2025. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Kathie Talbert Deese, who preceded him in death after 56 years of marriage.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Norwood. Rev Hanna Barlow will officiate and interment will follow in Norview Gardens. The family will receive friend one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Reece was a graduate of King’s College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following graduation, he was employed by IBM before beginning a long and dedicated career with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He retired after 41 years of faithful service with the Roadside and Environmental Unit. Throughout his career, he formed many lasting friendships and was fondly remembered by colleagues across the state. In addition to his work with NCDOT, Reece was a licensed electrician and served for many years as an instructor of electrical code at Anson Technical College. He was a devoted member of Porter Baptist Church for more than 60 years.

Reece greatly enjoyed driving his John Deere tractor(s), farming, gardening, and golfing with friends and family—pursuits that reflected his strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the land and the outdoors. He was an avid apiculturist, maintaining hives across Stanly County, and he enjoyed afternoon drives with his canine companion, Sissy. During his high school years, he and his younger brother, Bobby, operated a duckpin bowling alley in Norwood. In his twenties, Reece held a record bowling score of 289 for one year at Dogwood Lanes in Albemarle.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his siblings: Stacy Deese (Mary), Kathleen Kimrey (Alfred), Tony Deese (Margaret), Betty Whitley (Neil), and Bobby Deese (Jeanette).

He is survived by his daughters, Teresa Piner (Lewis), Kathryn Louise Kepley (Don), and Andrea Deese (Terry); and by his five cherished granddaughters, Brittany Piner, Morgan Piner, Margaret Kepley, Caroline Kepley, and Meredith Kepley. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews across the United States, all of whom he loved dearly and who will cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Working Land Trust or the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (Pollinators Program).

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