Lois Mitchell (Reeves) Landreth

Lois Mitchell Reeves Landreth was born March 14, 1924 and died on June 5, 2025 at the age 101.  She was born in Alleghany County to Lon Mac and Madge Rector Reeves and grew up in the Twin Oaks area.  She graduated from Sparta High School in 1940 and attended Greensboro Women’s College (now UNCG) 1940-42.

After college she worked at a bank in Boone, NC from 1942-1944.  In 1944, during WWII, she went to Washington, DC where she worked at Union Station until 1946.

Lois returned to Sparta after the war, and went to work for the Alleghany Welfare Department (now Department of Social Services).  In 1949 she married John Basil Landreth who owned Town and Country Barbershop on Main Street.  She later worked at Northwestern Bank, Sparta School and the Alleghany Superintendent’s office, finishing her career in 1984 as the finance officer for the Alleghany County Schools. 

In her retirement she “did the books” for Alleghany Group Homes, played golf at New River Golf Club with her husband, Basil, and with the New River Ladies’ Golf Association, and learned to paint, becoming an accomplished artist.  The picture she painted of her Twin Oaks home place is a favorite of the family.  Lois volunteered at the local nursing home for several years delivering mail to residents and reading to others.  Additionally, she volunteered at Solid Rock Food Closet and as a docent at the Alleghany Historical Museum.

Lois joined Sparta Presbyterian Church in October 1959 and where she was a devoted member.  Among many of her activities were her service as the finance officer, church historian, and choir member.  She was an honorary life member of Presbyterian Women USA.

Lois was known for her expertise on the dance floor and often entertained audiences with “The Charleston” in local community talent shows dressed in a flapper dress and pearls. 

Lois was an excellent cook.  Pecan pies, with homemade crusts, were a favorite at church dinners and a family favorite was her macaroni salad (best served in a 1950s pink Tupperware bowl).  Her extensive recipe box is a treasure with her handwritten recipes and additions from other excellent cooks in the county.  She loved the outdoors and she could often be found with a fishing pole in her hands whether at the coast, on the lake or the river.

She was a supportive, non-judgmental, accommodating wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend.  Her family and friendships were important to her as were her walks on her forest path behind her house.  She was the most supportive grandmother a grandchild could ask for, helping with homework, attending sporting events and dance recitals, and being a sounding board and voice of wisdom.

Lois was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Basil, her granddaughter, Meredith Jane Wyatt and her brothers and sisters, Emoryetta, Anne, Bill, Tom and Linda.  She is survived by her children John Landreth (Jane), Jane Wyatt (Alan) and Julie Duncan (Curtis); her grandchildren Thomas Landreth, Mitchell Wyatt (Lora), Elizabeth Jerger (Caroline), Hannah Moore (Zack) and Rebecca Towson (Daris); and great-grandchildren Cooper and Owen Wyatt, Leo Jerger, Sallie and Etta Houser, and Cecilia, Milo, and Koda Towson and one step great-grandchild Lyza Moore.  She is also survived by treasured cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at Sparta Presbyterian Church with Reverend Julie Hill officiating.  No formal visitation will be held.  The family will have a private graveside service at Elk Creek Cemetery prior to the service at the church.  

In lieu of food and flowers, memorials may be made to Sparta Presbyterian Church, PO Box 474 Sparta, NC  28675. 

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Landreth family.  If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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