Reece Dowd Starnes

Reece Dowd Starnes 95, Prominent Charlotte Barber passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025. Married to Carolyn Simpson Starnes for 72 years (the wind in his sails). Born August 29, 1930, in Union County, NC to the late Thomas Eli Starnes and Annie Clawson Starnes.

Funeral services to celebrate his life will be conducted at 3:00PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Bethlehem UMC, 5300 Nesbit Rd. Waxhaw, NC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military and masonic rights. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:30PM until 2:45PM in the Family Life Center.

Reece was a U.S. Army combat veteran of the Korean War. “We went to a land we had not seen to fight for people we did not know.” There he acquired his love for cutting hair as a volunteer for the GI’s. After returning to the U.S., he graduated from the Charlotte Barber College and Roffer Hair Styling.

He was owner of the Sedgefield Barber and Hair Styling Shop for 45 years, where he served as Treasurer of the shopping center for over 30 years. Cutting over 4 generations of hair, he maintained a standard of excellence in serving the needs of his clients with the upmost integrity and professionalism, establishing strong, lasting relationships, cutting the most elite of Charlotte Doctors, Attorneys, past Mayor, Federal Judge, Bankers, Panthers, Knights, NASCAR, College Professors, FBI, and a lot of just good men. Serving the hospitals, nursing homes and the home bound. After working for 70 years, Reece retired in March 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Reece was on call for the Charlotte Red Cross for over 25 years, giving over 3 gallons of blood. He retired from the VFD with 22 years of service. Voted Fireman of the year in 1991. He was a Master Mason of the Waxhaw Lodge No.562 for over 70 years.

Reece was born into Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where he served faithfully for his 95 years on administrative board, building committee, pastor’s parish, Finance, Parsonage Community, Sunday School Superintendent, an usher for 65 years (head user for over 30), a charter member of the United Methodist Men, also playing Basketball and Baseball for the church teams.

Reece came from a family of 13 children, with 12 preceding him in death. Having done a man’s job since 7 years of age, his work ethic was second to none. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Well done my good and faithful servant.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by the loves’ of his life: Son, Scott Reece Starnes (Susan), Raleigh, NC and Daughter, Caroline Starnes Rhodes (Jeff), Rock Hill SC. Three Grandchildren, Alexander Reece Starnes (Liza), Raliegh, NC; Halle Rhodes Moss (Cody), Rock Hill, SC; William Scott Rohodes, Rock Hill, SC, one great-grandchild, Reece Nottingham Starnes.

The family requests memorials be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care for the Starnes Family.