Reece Lavance Stuckey was born on July 24, 1935 in Eros, Louisiana, and gloriously entered heaven on July 22, 2020. He peacefully passed away at home following a lengthy illness. He never made a big deal over his birthdays. However, this year beginning in April, he had eagerly anticipated this special day. He left his earthly home two days before his 85th birthday. Being a child of God coupled with his home going, this birthday turned into a greater heavenly celebration than he could have ever imagined.

A celebration of Reece’s life will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2020 with visitation beginning at 2:00 P.M. until the time of service at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, Louisiana. Officiating will be Dr. Marty Black and Hospice Chaplain, Ricky Baker. Interment will be in New Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Reece began working at a local grocery, dry good and feed store in Chatham, Louisiana at the age of 11. Owner, Gordon Powell was a wonderful mentor and example, and he loved Mr. Powell dearly. He graduated from Eros High School (Class of 1954) and Louisiana Business College with a degree in accounting. He began working for a small chain of department stores in sales. After two years, Reece relocated to the group’s business office in a bookkeeping/accounting position. Approximately one year later, he accepted a promotion to business office manager, where he remained for 20 years. When he and Bobbie Anders Stuckey married, they made their home in Winnfield, Louisiana for more than 50 years. In 1978, he accepted an assistant manager position with Walmart Corporation. A few years later, he left to become the business office manager for Humana Hospital Corporation’s Winnfield location. He changed jobs to enable him to have more time to spend with his family. Reece was an independent contractor for the last 28 years of his career. He told his family often, “I never want to retire.” However, he retired in 2013, due to failing health at the age of 78. He was committed to leading his family well and worked diligently to provide for them.

Reece was a longtime member and ordained deacon of East Winnfield Baptist Church in Joyce, Louisiana. Upon relocating to West Monroe, Louisiana in 2011, he and Bobbie moved their membership to New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was very mission-minded and co-founded Co-Hearts for Christ, with the goal of distributing Bibles in native languages in several foreign countries. At his very core, he desired for others to know the hope he found in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To say that Reece looked forward to attending church and serving God in many different capacities through the years is an understatement. He was artistically gifted, loved music, taught himself to play the guitar, piano, and harmonica. A few days ago, he expressed a desire to once again, begin working toward learning to play his violin. He even taught himself to sew. His numerous hobbies included spending time with his family, drawing and painting, woodworking, cooking the best hash brown potatoes in the south, and keeping impeccable accounting records. His parents, Evan and Helen Stuckey, and his brother, Joe Mayo, preceded him in death.

Those left to treasure and cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Bobbie Anders Stuckey, his daughter, Kimberly Faith Stuckey; Dorvin Yeager (Michelle), who was like a son to him; his sisters, Christine Johnson, Barbara Roberts, and Artie Thomas(Richard); numerous nieces, nephews and other cherished family and friends.

Pallbearers will be James (Jay) Roberts, Barry Hubbard, Don Antley, Charlie Bush, Bo Leporati, and Billy Martin. Honorary pallbearers include the Irving Sills’ Sunday School Class Members and New Chapel Hill Baptist Church Deacons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone desiring to give a gift in his memory do so to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home (P.O. Box 4196; Monroe, Louisiana 71211) or New Chapel Hill Baptist Church (61 New Chapel Hill Road; West Monroe, Louisiana 71291).

The family would like to give special thanks to the leadership, volunteers, and staff of LA Hospice and Palliative Care for helping make his last month of life better; his primary care physician, Dr. Kerry Anders and staff; Dr. Greg Sampognaro and staff; Dr. Lauren Mickey and staff; his church family; and friends.