Johnnie Edward Reece

Johnnie Edward ReeceApril 12, 1940 - April 14, 2021Mr. Johnnie Edward Reece, 81, of Burke County, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.Johnnie was born April 12, 1940, in Burke County, to the late Grady Ellis Reece and Bertie Berry Reece. Johnnie was a graduate of Hildebran High School in 1959, and joined the U.S. Air Force immediately after. He served for four years, and was honorably discharged as an Airman First Class. He was stationed for the majority of his time in England, which he loved.Following his service he received a certificate in auto mechanics from C.V.C.C., and also attended W.P.C.C., for degrees in accounting and computers. Johnnie worked for Burlington Factory in Rhodhiss, and eventually retired from General Electric. He loved cutting wood, gardening, and playing basketball and baseball. Johnnie was a longtime member of Warlick's Baptist Church, and was a great man of faith who loved the Lord.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Agnes Lowman and Linda R. Lowman; and three brothers, Samuel, Jimmy and Lloyd Reece.Survivors include his beloved wife, Bobbie Reece, whom he was devoted to for 34 years; two children, Darla R. Allport and husband, Dr. Simon Allport, of Hickory and Charles Ellis Reece and wife, Lisa, of Morganton; stepdaughter, Sharon H. Chapman and husband, Donnie, of Mocksville; stepson, David Hull and wife, Kim, of Connelly Springs; grandchildren, Nathaniel Reece and Abigail Nicole Reece, of Roselle, N.J., and Jozland Reece of Hickory; stepgrandchildren, Dustin and Rachel Hull of Icard, Drew and Courtney Hull of Connelly Springs, Ethan and Erin Hull of Raleigh, Joel and Elizabeth Chapman of Ladson, S.C., Matthew Chapman of Cary, Caroline, William and Elizabeth Allport, all of Hickory; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.The Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 17, at 3 p.m., at Warlick's Baptist Church with the Rev. Donnie Chapman officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m., at Warlick's Baptist Church, prior to the service. The family does request all visitors follow the COVID-19 mask and social distancing guidelines.Memorials may be sent to the East Burke Christian Ministries, 103 3rd Ave. SE, Hildebran, NC 28637.www.heritagefuneralservices.com