Larry Jones Reavis

Larry Jones Reavis, 91, beloved Missionary, global Christian Statesman, and long-time Elder, died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 30, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving wife, long-time Pastor, and dear family members as he graduated to his heavenly home.

Born November 20, 1934, in Winston-Salem, Larry was raised by his parents, Robert and Letha Reavis. He attended James A. Gray High School (which became ”The University of

North Carolina School of the Arts”) and was an outstanding athlete, a starter on the Varsity basketball team. After high school, Larry started his college studies at Wake Forest University for two years and then enlisted in the Army and served stateside during the Korean War, finishing his service protecting Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

After his service time, he went back to Wake Forest to finish undergraduate studies, but the Lord had a better plan and led him to High Point College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and met Karan on her first day of class. They were married in 1961 in her hometown of Rockingham, NC, and eventually settled in Winston-Salem, NC where Larry established the “Larry Reavis Insurance Agency”. Karan taught at East Forsyth High School, and they raised their three children, Chris, Fran, and Jay.

The 1972 Billy Graham Crusade in Charlotte, NC, radically changed the direction of Larry’s life. About a decade later, while attending a Kenneth Copeland Outreach meeting in Winston-Salem, NC, he knew God was calling him into full-time Missions work. After joining Reynolda Presbyterian Church and serving as an Elder, he traveled and participated in many international mission trips, was eventually ordained as a Pastor, and then founded “Larry Reavis Ministries”. Again, he felt the tug of the Lord, and in 1988, he and Karan moved to Jamaica to serve as International Missionaries for Reynolda Church. They lived there for 10 years, shared the Gospel, and helped build churches and new lives for the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean, before returning home to Winston-Salem.

Back stateside, he was truly inspired to help his fellow man and created an annual charity outreach event called “The Luke 14 Banquet”, a global and local effort to share the Gospel and love of Christ through events geared to help clothe, feed, and provide needed services to the areas homeless. Larry served the Lord faithfully and lived a humble, honorable life. He loved his church and his family and was always friendly with everyone he came into contact with. He never met a stranger. He spent the vast majority of his life leading others to Christ.

Larry is survived by his wife, Karan Reavis, of Winston-Salem, NC; his daughter, Fran Helpingstine (Mike) of Cary, NC; his sister, Mitzi Smith (Bud) of McHenry, II; his brothers, Charles Reavis (Meg) of Advance, NC and Joe Reavis (Cathy) of Summerfield, NC; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews. Larry’s passing was preceded by his beloved sons, Christopher Reavis of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Larry Jones “Jay” Reavis Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00am at Reynolda Church, 2200 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, with Pastor Alan Wright officiating. The family will visit with friends at the church immediately following the service. In Larry’s honor, donations may be made to the church (https://reynoldachurch.org/give/) to continue the mission outreach that he committed his life to.

Romans 8: 37-39
“Yet in all these things we are more than Conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Reavis Family.