Robert Leo Reavis, affectionately known as “Pete,” 97, of Harmony, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

He was born to the late William Elisha and Cora Edna Riddle Reavis on March 6, 1929, at their home in the Turkeyfoot area of North Iredell County along with his twin sister, Cleo.

Pete attended the historic rural Joyner Schoolhouse of Harmony. As a young man, he and his siblings worked together on the family farm, raising tobacco and learning the value of hard work and dedication.

Pete proudly served seven years in the United States military and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served as a Radar Equipment Foreman with the 71st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, monitoring the airspace over Washington, D.C. During his military service, he had the honor of participating in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Inaugural Parade.

While serving in the military, he met and married Freddia Rochelle Dotson, the love of his life, in 1952. They shared 60 years of marriage before her passing, building a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories.

After his military service, he made his career as a truck driver, a profession he continued until retiring at the age of 83. Pete was a longtime member of American Legion Post 113, where he greatly valued the camaraderie and friendship of his fellow Legion brothers. He especially cherished their weekly outings for meals, fellowship, and good conversation.

Pete and Freddia enjoyed traveling across the country and taking cruises together, creating many wonderful memories along the way. He also enjoyed beekeeping, attending ball games, following NASCAR, and keeping up with politics.

He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Statesville, where he enjoyed the fellowship of his church family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Freddia Reavis; children, Jerry and Linda Reavis; siblings, Hubert Reavis, Cleo Reavis Peacock, and Mozelle Lee.

Survivors include children, Carla Reavis, Shari Wetherspoon (Dale), Steven Reavis (Barbara), Daniel Reavis, and Lori Dalton (Fred); sister, Norma Jean Bowden; grandchildren, Jason Bradham, Matthew Allen, Ryan Allen, Hayley Childers, Victoria and Hannah Reavis, Erin Reavis, Christian Reavis, and Mackenzie Dalton; and great-grandchildren, Rebecca Ladd, Elijah and Leviticus Allen, and Gabriel Higgins.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to nieces, Donna Wallace and Rhonda Sherrill, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, the Department of Veterans Affairs in Salisbury, and Chelsea Boller of Sherries in Home Care.

A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m., Monday, October 12, at Fairview Baptist Church, Statesville, with Rev. Jesse Stroud officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 113. The family invites friends to visit with them at the church one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com