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Garrick Smith Funeral Service Licensee, Vice-President, and Location Manager
Garrick is a native of Avery County and has been with Reins-Sturdivant since 1988. 2020 marked his 32nd year serving his friends and family in Avery County. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Lees-McRae College, and graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta in 1994. He is the son of Linda Buchanan Mills of Newland and the late T.E. Smith of Banner Elk. Garrick is married to Carol Jones Smith and they reside in Banner Elk. He has two step children, Tyne Franklin and Tyler Phillips, three granddaughters, Irelyn Grace, Addison Faith, and Ayleigh Hope, and a grandson, Jase. He attends Heaton Christian Church.
Garrick is an Eagle Scout and is currently serving the Banner Elk Scout Troop as Committee Chairman. He served as a member of the Executive Board of the Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was appointed Chairman of Boy Scouting for Western North Carolina from 2005 until 2010. Garrick served as Chairman of the Council Awards Selection Committee for over 10 years. He is a Vigil Honor Member of Tsali Lodge #134 of the Order of the Arrow, and was honored with the Founders Award in 2009 and is serving the lodge as Adviser to the Cook Team. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the High Country Care Givers Foundation. He is a member of the ET&WNC Historical Society.
He enjoys traveling and is an avid collector of model trains. He is a proud supporter of Lees-McRae Summer Theater and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
"God has certainly blessed me. Being able to do what I know He wants me to do and be of service to my fellow Avery County family is truly a blessing. My primary goal while serving any family, is that they realize that we strive to treat them, not only like one of our own, but like they are the only family we are serving."
Garrick may be contacted anytime at [email protected] -
Brandy P. Hampton Funeral Director/Embalmer
Brandy lives in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and is married to the Gregg Hampton. She has one daughter, Bayleigh. Brandy enjoys traveling, being outdoors, riding motorcycles, photography, animals and working in her wood shop. She attended FTCC where she earned her associates degree in Mortuary Science. Brandy genuinely cares for each family and their loved ones that she meets with. She pays special attention to all the tasks and details needed to help put a family a little more at ease in a difficult time. Brandy can be reached anytime at [email protected]
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Donna Garland Administrative Assistant
Donna lives in Elk Park and is married to Bob Garland. She has two sons, Jon and Jason and two grandsons, Bryce and Landon. She enjoys spending time with her family and is well known for her photography skills.
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Michael Hendricks Family Services Counselor
Michael was born in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. He is a licensed life insurance agent, with several years of experience. He retired from Publix Supermarkets in 2016. Michael enjoys assisting our families with their monument needs, aftercare consulting and pre-arrangement planning.
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Sheri Cornett Funeral Assistant
Sheri Shell Cornett comes to Reins-Sturdivant as an Avery County native,
born and raised in the Heaton community. She currently lives in
Crossnore with her husband and fellow Avery County native, Larry.
She is a graduate of Avery County High School and attended Mayland
Community College's nursing program. She began her career as a Certified
Nursing Assistant II with Sloop Memorial Hospital in 1991, and currently
serves as a Surgical Technologist for Appalachian Regional Healthcare
System, with her base of operation at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.
"I am a people person who cares deeply about those in the community in
which we serve," Sheri says. "Working at RSFH allows me to help our
fellow friends, neighbors, and even in some cases family deal with some
of the most difficult times of their lives through acts of service and a
friendly face."
Sheri is active in her local church of Greater Joy Fellowship in
Newland, as well as volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem with the district
court system, and additionally has served in the past on the board of
directors of the Avery County Historical Society.
In her spare time, Sheri enjoys researching genealogy, creating stained
glass art, and crafting. -
Rev. Marcus R Benfield Funeral Assistant
Marcus Benfield grew up in Hiddenite North Carolina. He graduated from Alexander Central High School. He is married to Teresa and they have 5 children. Marcus is the Senior Pastor of Altapass Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. He enjoys his work as a Pastor as well as helping serve in his community.
Presently Marcus & Teresa have 3 wonderful grandchildren and they are a joy to spend time with. Marcus has pastored for over 30 years and holds a Doctorate in Theology. He enjoys family time and working on his small farm in the Spear Community. -
Rev. Ronnie Pyatte Funeral Assistant
Ronnie Pyatte is a native of Avery County and currently serves as the Pastor for Jonas Ridge Baptist Church. He graduated from Avery County High School in 1985 and from the Seminary at East Coast Bible College. Ronnie is married to Missy Johnson Pyatte and they have a daughter, Canaan Elizabeth Pyatte. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the guitar, leading worship and Ministering.
Ronnie’s hobbies include hunting and fishing, hiking, and tailgating at ETSU Football Games. -
Jim Ollis 1943-2021
On Monday, January 18, 2021, Jim Ollis, a cherished member of our family left this earth for his Heavenly home. He joined our staff in 2014 and strived to take care of each and every family and their needs. Jim you are loved, you are missed, you are remembered. We will carry you in our hearts until we see you again.