It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Charlotte Reece Rorie of Lexington and formerly of Hickory. Charlotte went to be with her savior Jesus Christ on 07/26/2024, after valiantly battling cancer over eight years. The daughter of Buford and Viola Lowman Reece, she was born 12/27/1938 in Burke County.
Preceding her in death are her parents, brothers Leonard Thurmond Reece, Ted Samuel Reece, Don William Reece, Larry Reece and sister Reba Josephine Reece Parise. She is also preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years Robert Waldon Rorie.
Charlotte will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind. She is survived by daughter Resa (Johnny) Ferrell of Clayton; son Brandon (Carrie) Rorie of Thomasville; grandchildren: Leah Shirley (Christian), Emma Purdum (Brent), Ayden, Evangelina, and Evan Ferrell; Daniel, Brandon Ticer and Anna Rorie; siblings: Phyllis (Wayne) Ross of Valdese; Bonnie Turnbull of Hickory; sisters-in-law: Betty Reece of Morganton, Anita Archer of Arkansas; Mildred (Don) Denton of Oklahoma; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom she treasured.
Mrs. Rorie was a graduate of Drexel High School. She earned a BA of Business and Education from Lenoir Rhyne University and received a Masters Degree in Social Work at Florida State University. Prior to graduate school, Charlotte worked in the field of business, taught school two years in Morganton and worked for Social Services in Charlotte. After her marriage she worked as a supervisor at Social Services in Athens, Georgia, where she and Robert had their children.
Mrs. Rorie truly believed in the value of family and felt that children deserved to have safe and healthy homes. Further, she was a strong advocate for the protection of children and their provision. So, in 1977 she returned to the workforce as a supervisor at Wake County Social Services. In 1978 the Rories moved to Hickory where she worked for Catawba County Social Services for the next 27 years. She served as a social work supervisor and as a licensed clinical social worker working with abused and neglected children and their families.
In 1993 as a supervisor, she and her staff established Family Builders of Catawba Valley – a foster care and adoptions agency partnering with Florence Crittenton Agency of NC. She felt this was the crowning achievement of her career. She concluded her career as a supervisor of staff providing services to aid children to remain in their own homes.
Charlotte and Robert enjoyed traveling after retirement. Her favorite trip was to Europe, especially Austria, Switzerland and Venice. They visited much of the US including Hawaii. They also enjoyed Cancun and Tijuana, Mexico.
While she savored a good book, Charlotte was quite competitive. She relished a close game of canasta and participated in the Catawba County Senior Olympics. Her team progressed to the state level where she won 2 awards in basketball and table tennis.
Some awards during her life were editor of the yearbook, Miss Hi Miss, High School Co-captain of the girls basketball team. She was Employee of the Month at Catawba County Social Services and was nominated for the Hancock Settlemyre award.
At retirement, she received an award from the State Department of Social Services for her years of service to families and children. In September 2004 she was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine signed by Governor Mike Easley for services rendered to the state of NC. Mrs. Rorie was a member of Catawba County's Quarter Century Club.
A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, 08/10/2024, in Morganton, NC at Sossoman Funeral Home. It will be live streamed through www.sossomanfh.com. Visitation will be held at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm followed by the funeral ceremony. Graveside service will be at Burke Memorial Park in Morganton, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local Social Services Agency's children in foster care fund, Lenoir Rhyne University Social Work Department, Sipes Orchard Home or a local children's group home.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
Leave a tribute for Charlotte Reece Rorie.
Charlotte... My dear protector I will forever cherish you coming into my life 40+ years ago. You never gave up on me, always pushed me to go one step further and I still to this day strive to go that extra step. I may not have ever told you enough how much you mean to me but my life wouldn't know where near be the same if it weren't for you. Thank you a million times over for being my voice when I didn't have one!!! Keep watching over me as you always have and tell my precious Rilynn all about how you saved me... love always "your survivor"
Charlotte was an excellent example of a competent social worker who was committed to vulnerable children and their families. She left her mark on the social work profession while serving citizens in Catawba County. She will be be missed. May she rest in peace with her savior. Beth Wooten
Dear Resa and Brandon, I am so sorry to hear the sad passing news of your precious mother. Both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Resa, I will never forget how special your parents always made me feel, from the first time meeting them they always made me feel welcomed. Sending you both love, hugs and prayers for comfort. Your friend always, Barbara Hall Duran
CHARLOTTE was a special lady! A joy to be around always smiling. I have some wonderful memories of my growing up times with my cousins in Drexel. I am sorry for your loss of the beautiful lady. May God Bless you all. Much love Kathy Lowman Holma.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 Thinking and praying for you and your family during this time of lost.
Charlotte was such a dear friend to my Mom for over 60 years. She was a sweetheart and will be missed. Sending lots of love and hugs