Edna Pearl (Gilchrist) Reaves

Mrs. Edna Pearl (Gilchrist) Reaves, age 72, of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Sanford Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sanford, NC.

Obituary

With heavy hearts and loving remembrance, we celebrate the life of Mrs. Edna Pearl (Gilchrist) Reaves, age 72, of Sanford, NC who was called home on Monday, June1, 2026.She entered this world on October 6, 1953, the fifth child of five children to the late Howard and Clara Jane Gilchrist.

Edna joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford, NC at a young age and remained until her failing health prevented her attendance.

She attended WB Wicker High School and was active in many school functions and loved to dance. In her early age she participated and won many talent shows dancing! She had a great love for celebrations, traveling and family gatherings. She loved holidays and any reason to dance and have fun with others.

Edna was a “Mother figure” to any and all who needed her and would often take care of her nieces and nephews and extended family, friends and neighborhood children. She had a great love for her aunts and uncles. Her quiet strength and humbleness was a magnet to all who had the opportunity to know her.

As Edna’s health began to fail she still possessed an “I Can Do It Spirit”. She was truly a fighter and endured many hardships with a smile.

Edna devoted many years to her work at Cornell’s, where she built lifelong friendships.

She was united in marriage in the late Perkins Reaves. They built countless memories together, and their love remained until he transitioned home to be with Christ.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Annette Sellers; beloved granddaughter, TyAnna Cureton; late husband, Perkins Reaves; and a stepson, Perkins McLean. She also leaves her siblings, Peggy Wilson, Larry Gilchrist (Gail), Carolyn Fox, Sherri McNeil, and Juana Washington (David), nieces, cousins, great-nieces, Robert Wilson (Jeanette), Clarinda Taylor (Rex), Emily Wilson, Larry Smith (Karen), William Tuck III (Donna), Carol Cole, Latasha Gilchrist, Lanita Kelly, Sojourner Smith, the late Shelton McLean, LaQuanda Carter, Jade Horton, Leon Horton; in-laws, Shirley Cole (Dan Jr.), Barbara Ann Reaves, Cynthia Williams (Jerome Sr.), James Douglas, great-aunts, uncles, and dear friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Sanford, NC