Jean Livengood Reavis

HAMPTONVILLE - Shelby Jean Livengood Reavis finished an extraordinary life on this side of Heaven in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin.

Jean was born on February 27, 1937 in Yadkin County to the late Jesse Savannah Livengood and Laura Lucinda Wilkins Livengood. She was valedictorian of the 1955 graduating class at West Yadkin High School, and while she never had the chance to further her educational career, both of Jean’s children, Jeanie and Angie, graduated from college, as did all four of her grandchildren, Denver, Jesse, Adam and Lauren.

She was employed at Hanes Hosiery for many years until opting to stay home in order to keep Jeanie and Angie from killing each other. Jean coached softball for her daughters’ teams and played softball at Lone Hickory and various church leagues for many years. Jean returned to work in 1979 at The Austin Company in Yadkinville as the first female factory worker employed by the company.

Jean worked as a sheet metal fabricator and welder and was such an accomplished craftsperson that she soon became the designated welder for her husband Tom’s many tinkering projects. She retired from The Austin Company in 1994 to begin the most treasured job of her life … Nanny.

The rest of her life was devoted to loving, spoiling and chasing after her grandchildren. The number of ballgames, plays, concerts, awards ceremonies and graduation ceremonies she attended over the years is known only to God.

“Well, Nanny, you always knew how to make an impact,” wrote grandson Denver. We know you understood how much we all loved you. We thank you for all the effort you put into all of us and the care. You’re with Papaw now. We know you two have some catching up to do.

“Say hey to everyone who went ahead of us and y’all save us some spots. Please watch over us like you did for Carolina versus Duke, you Tar Heel fanatic. Take care, Nanny, until we see you again and have those hugs ready.”

“When Nanny got to Heaven, she probably said hello to Papaw and then left to go look for Dean Smith,” added grandson Jesse.

“My Nanny was truly one of the greatest people I’ve ever met,” wrote her grandson Adam. “She was unapologetically herself (for better or for worse) and she loved her family as ferociously as a person could. She was the best grandma and best friend that anyone could ever ask for.

“While I know we will see each other again one day, until then, there will always be a feisty, 4’ 8”, sugar-addicted, Diet Mountain Dew drinking, Carolina Basketball watching-sized hole in our hearts. I love you, Nanny.”

“For the first time in my life, Nanny won’t be there,” said granddaughter Lauren. “She made it to every holiday, birthday celebration, game or play. If something was happening, she was there. She was so proud of her family and never missed a chance to tell anyone who would listen. She’d tell them even if they weren’t listening.

“Even though she’s not here in person any more, I know she’s still with us at every event. Tell Papaw we love and miss him. We will see both of you again one day. I love you mostest, Nanny.”

“From the moment I met Nanny, she always made me feel like a part of the family,” concluded Cat, Denver’s wife. “She was not just family … she was my friend. I will miss her walking over to our house, banging on the door after I told her not to walk over by herself. She just wanted to see her granddog, Avery, but that was Nanny. I love her so much and will miss her.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Thomas “Tom” Howard Reavis; brothers Roy James Livengood, Arthur "Ott" Lee Livengood, Lester Ray Livengood; two sisters JoAnn Livengood Renegar and Bonnie Livengood Hampton. She is survived by her children Jeanie Reavis (Rick) Houston and Angie Reavis (Jonathan) King; grandchildren Denver (Catherine) Rakes; Jesse Houston, Adam Houston, Lauren Rakes and Kendra King; granddogs Otis, River, Muffin, Pebbles, Summer, Avery and Bandit; brothers Jesse Edward (Louise) Livengood, Donnie Gray (Pam) Livengood; sister Doris Livengood Holder; sisters in law Sue Livengood, Jeannette Livengood, Marie Reavis Windsor; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its sincere thanks to Jean’s medical helpers over the last few years: Dr. Joanie Williams, Leslie Hagerman, Paula Cooke, Sandra Shaver, Lauren Reavis Heller, and the entire Yadkin Medical Associates staff. Thank you to Dr. Robert Holmes, Christa Hubert and the entire GAP staff. Our special thanks also goes to Dr. Robert Peterson, Dr. Julie Taylor, physician’s assistant Joanie Macemore, nurse practitioner Sheri Komdeur, ALL of the second floor nurses at Hugh Chatham Hospital, and the ICU staff for their compassion and attention during the past month. To the SECU Hospice Care Center. You are an incredible place! To be able to spend Jean’s final days with her in the peaceful quiet and comfort of your facility was a blessing beyond measure.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville. Her Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Sunday in the Gentry Family Chapel by her son-in-law, Rick Houston and grandson, Denver Rakes. Interment will follow in the Hanes Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Hamptonville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin, 243 North Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC 27055.