Claude Morris Reynolds, Jr.

Claude Morris Reynolds, Jr., 81, years old, slipped away peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by his family and wrapped in their love. Wherever life took him, Claude was loyal to the people and to the places on that journey. Born in Lexington, North Carolina, Claude was the devoted son of Genie and Chuck Reynolds and cherished big brother to his sister, Suzanne Reynolds. Claude loved his home, Lexington High School, the Methodist Church, Little League sports, and the local golf courses. In Lexington, he began developing a huge circle of lifelong friends. They recognized in Claude a fierce loyalty as well as a wickedly funny sense of humor. 

After high school, Claude found his home in Chapel Hill, and the spirit of Carolina earned Claude’s strongest devotion. Always proud to have been the first class of residents in Ehringhaus Dormitory, Claude and his new friends made the most of playing bridge and hijinks that “E-haus” became famous for. He made up his mind as graduation loomed to live close enough to Chapel Hill to continue to be able to support Carolina athletics regularly, so he moved to Hillsborough. 

Claude’s first job was teaching world history and driver’s education at Orange High School. His students urged him to ask recent graduate Suzanne Cates for a date. She accepted and everyone agrees it was Claude’s biggest stroke of luck. He and Suzanne celebrated their 56th anniversary this past December. A career change landed him in banking, specializing in systems management until his retirement in 2005. He and Suzanne took bank assignments in Lenoir, Durham, and in Raleigh, again making lifelong friends with each move. Their first child Marilee was born while in Durham in 1971. In 1976, BB&T moved them to Wilson, NC, where they remained for the rest of their married lives. In Wilson, they welcomed son, Cam, in 1979. As devoted as Claude was to his friends, he brought a new measure of intense dedication to his children, and eventually, his beloved grandchildren. Claude found new ways to be involved with his children’s lives as he became a certified athletic trainer for Hunt High School in the late 1980’s. For his devotion to hundreds of high school athletes, Hunt High School recognized Claude last year with an induction into their Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Even though he poured himself into training, he always managed to be at every game Marilee and Cam played. Claude kept up the same faithfulness to the events in his grandchildren’s lives, being a constant, supportive presence to them. He adored his children and grandchildren’s friends and teammates too, becoming an adopted grandfather to countless of them. Dada, as he was affectionately called, was there for them all. 

When complications from childhood surgery impaired Claude’s mobility, he demonstrated how to respond to adversity. At every physical challenge, Claude adapted with courage, grace, and humor, modeling how a person of faith continues to find the best in life. Whatever challenge he faced, he continued to have a huge personality and a zest for life that made him cherished son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Claude is survived by his devoted wife, Suzanne, daughter Marilee Williford (Tim), son Cam (Rachel), “daughter” Rebecca Baird (Drew), sister Suzanne Reynolds (Hoppy Elliot), grandchildren Claire Dixon, Ian Dixon, Ava Grace Reynolds, Bennett Reynolds, Jackson Williford, Zaddock Williford, Thorne Williford and Hayes Baird, nieces Christy Daniel (David), Caroline Elliot (Chris Collins) Karen Williams, and Lillie Elliot (Patrick Martin) and nephews Wesley Williams (Suzanne) and godson Michael Elliot (Rebecca Davenport).

Claude is also survived by lifelong friends the ROMEOs (Really Old Men Eating Out) Bobby Farris, Michael Black, Mark Herring, and Charles Ogletree. His college roommate Frank Lai (Martha) and their children, his godchildren Mary Frances Putnam (Brian) and Vince Lai (Mary). Claude’s best friend and ROMEO, John Leonard, preceded him in death in 2022. 

Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church, Wilson, NC. The Rev. Mike Frese will preside, assisted by the Rev. Bob Bergland. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service in Asbury Hall. The family requests attendees wear their finest Carolina Blue to honor Claude. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or First United Methodist Church’s Claude Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund, 100 Green Street NE, Wilson, NC 27893.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.