Reece "Pete" Franklin Belk

Reece “Pete” Franklin Belk, 95, of China Grove, formerly of Kannapolis, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and to be reunited with his beloved wife and son, Thursday evening, December 14, 2023, at Atrium Health Cabbarus, following a brief illness.

Born on “the 6th of the 8th of 28”, he was one of 11 children born to Brack and Pearlie Eubanks Belk in Chesterfield County, SC.  He was a sharecropper in South Carolina before moving to Kannapolis with his cousin to work at Fieldcrest Cannon, where he devotedly worked for 47 1/2 years.

Pete met the love of his life, Leonora “Cooter” Belk at High Rock Lake, and the two married September 10, 1949.  Together they raised 2 boys, Ricky and Terry Belk, and made their home in Kannapolis.  He was a lifetime member of Lakewood Baptist Church where he had many roles.

A connoisseur of Little Debbie’s, local fish plates and hamburgers, he will be remembered for his tall tales, his “volunteer work” at Centerview Hardware, and his ability to talk about anything to anyone for hours. He left his calling card of strawberry candies to anyone he encountered and never left the house without a pocket full. A master Gin Rummy player, he spent most Saturday nights playing with his closest friends, sister or grandchildren.

A lifelong NASCAR fan, he was a Dale Earnhardt’s biggest fan and also the biggest fan of whoever won that week. Pete never missed an episode of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. He loved watching movies and sitcoms, and considered John Wayne and Redd Fox his personal friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lenora Belk (2021) and a son, Terry Belk (2019).  Family members include his son, Rick Belk of Lexington; grandchildren, Dana Belk of Concord, Carrie and Ryan Brotheton of China Grove and Charlie Belk, London, UK; great- grandchildren, Patrick and Kristen Belk, Kannapolis, Leah Canterbury of Michigan, Tay Brotherton (Katelyn Williams) of Salisbury and Evan Brotherton, China Grove; great-great grandson, Sawyer Brotherton of Salisbury; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends 4:00-6:00 pm Sunday evening at Whitley’s Funeral Home. Funeral services to remember and give thanks for Mr. Belk’s life will begin at 2:00 pm Monday, December 18, 2023, at Whitley’s Funeral Home chapel, conducted by Reverend Steve Leigh. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, where Pete will be laid to rest with his wife.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Pete’s memory to In Touch Ministries, POB 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357, to continue spreading the Word of Jesus Christ.

Also, remember to leave people better than you found them and give them a strawberry candy (whether they want it or not) because “Giving out candy will keep you sweet”

On-line condolences may be made at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.