Merle Buie Reichle

Merle Buie Reichle, age 93, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Carolina Inn Assisted Living. She was born in Fayetteville, Dec. 14, 1930, to John Gilbert Buie, Sr. and Lillian Davis Buie. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Neal W. Reichle, her daughter, Nancy C. Reichle and her brother, Howard M. Buie. Merle retired from the Cumberland County Schools in 1992. She was teaching second grade at Margaret Willis Elementary School when she retired. She also taught kindergarten at Hay Street United Methodist Church for several years in the 1960’s and 1970’s. During her school years, Merle was known for her scholarship and was voted Most Studious in the Fayetteville High School Class of 1949. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Woman’s College of the University of NC. Merle and Neal met in junior high and dated through high school and college. They married in 1953 and enjoyed 41 wonderful years together until Neal died in 1995. Merle was an active member of Hay Street United Methodist Church where she taught children’s classes, led the Children’s Choir, sang in the Chancel Choir, knitted with the Threads ministry, participated in the Book Club, and served on the Altar Guild and Communion Committee. She loved traveling, sewing, cooking, knitting, arranging flowers and reading. Merle dearly loved spending time with her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Mason; daughter-in-law, Tanya Carter-Reichle; grandchildren, Lauren Thorn (Justin), Alan Mason (Rachel), Carmen Reichle, Maria Reichle; great-grandchildren, Davis and Bethany Thorn, James and Grant Mason; brothers, John G. Buie, Jr. (Mary) and Neil Buie (Claudia) along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Carolina Inn Assisted Living for their wonderful care over the last six years. Special thanks to her private caregivers Sherry Carro, Holly Owens, Maria Zermeno, Lucy Zermeno and Bertha McRae for their devoted care over the years. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Hay Street United Methodist church. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Memorial gifts may be sent to Hay Street United Methodist Church, 320 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC, 28301. Cape Fear Crematory is providing services to the family.

Merle Buie Reichle

December 14, 1930 - April 1, 2024