Reva Tugman McLean

Reva Christine Tugman McLean, age 93, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021. at her home.  

She was born in North Wilkesboro on June 7, 1927 to Edgar and Verna Taylor Tugman.  She graduated from North Wilkesboro High School in 1944 and moved to Washington DC to work in the Treasury Dept. during World War II.  She returned home to attend Mitchell College in Statesville, NC. to improve her secretarial skills.  

During the war she wrote letters to the brother of a friend of hers, Cora Lee McLain.  Later, after the war, they met, dated, and she married Russell William McLean on September 5, 1947.  

They were blessed with four children: Rita McLean Smith (Rev. Jerry Smith), Rene McLean Dills (Danny Dills), Russell McLean Jr. (Trina McLean), and Robert McLean (Michelle Hamby). She had seven grandchildren: Stacy Smith (Nikki Pierce) of Charlotte, NC, Dr. Anthony Smith of Charleston, SC, Judy Serbeck (Jason Serbeck), Jessica Smith, Joseph Dills (Philomena Dills), all of North Wilkesboro, Brett McLean of Charlotte, NC, and Colin McLean of Elkin, seven great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law: Jean Tugman. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell McLean, her son-in-law, Rev. Jerry Smith, and grandson, Ethan McLean. She is also preceded by her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law, Forest and Helen Tugman, Buddy and Beth Tugman, and John Tugman. 

Reva was best known as an administrative assistant at the Mulberry-Fairplains Water Association from which she retired at age 72.  She volunteered at United Way for several years and worked as a foster grandparent for 3 years at Mulberry Elementary School. She took art lessons at the Wilkes Senior Center and enjoyed the canvasses she painted.  She made many copies of her paintings to give to relatives and friends.  She especially enjoyed making her own notecards and Christmas cards.  She was a faithful Sunday School teacher and loved to play the piano and organ at Fairplains Baptist Church until Covid -19 and indoor worship services were cancelled. She had begun playing the piano at the church when she was a teenager. 

A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Fairplains Baptist Church with Pastor David Dyer officiating. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday evening at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.  The public may pay their respects to Mrs. McLean at other times from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Monday and 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Tuesday morning. 

The family respectfully requests that masks be worn. 

Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to Fairplains Baptist Church, 141 Fairplains Church Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. 

The family requests no food.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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