Reginald Leroy Felton

The much beloved Reginald “Reggie” Leroy Felton was peacefully called home to his Heavenly Father, on January 5, 2023. Born on February 3, 1943, and raised in Syracuse, NY, Reggie was the youngest of three children and second son born to his parents, Robert and Etta (Brown) Felton.

His parents provided a loving home environment where faith was lived, and education was respected and encouraged. Reggie graduated from Syracuse Central Technical High School in 1961 before receiving his commission to the ROTC at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse University Reggie played on the lacrosse team and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. In 1965 Reggie graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Industrial Engineering before serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, in the Da Nang region during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1970. Upon leaving the US Air Force, Reggie joined the Air National Guard in California and then Washington state where he continued to serve his country retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in 1998 after a thirty-year career.

Following his retirement from active duty, Reggie met and married his first wife Sharon Allen Felton in 1969. Their son Natahri was born in 1974 in Oakland, CA. In 1975 Reggie moved his family to Seattle, WA. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed going on camping trips and visits to the family homestead in Alabama with his son. Reggie also loved the Lord; he was a long-time member of Bethel Christian Church and was called to the ministry and completed his studies to become a minister in the Church of God In Christ.

In 2008 Reggie re-connected with his high school prom date Carneice Goode Pierce after several decades apart. Both long divorced, they married in 2011 and moved to Williamsburg, VA. where Reggie spent the remainder of his life with the one that had gotten away so many years before.

Once in Williamsburg, Reggie and Carneice established a new church home at the New Zion Baptist Church. New Zion was an important and cherished part of Reggie’s spiritual life. There he participated in numerous church ministries including the Men’s Fellowship, singing tenor in the Brethren Choral, Sunday School and Bible Study. Those who knew him best would often hear him share his favorite quotes, “I’m doing the best I can with what I got,” “Believe God and He will work out the details” and “the BEST is yet to come.”

Reggie is survived by his loving wife Carneice, his only son Natahri (Angeline), his stepchildren Kristen Pierce-Vreeke (Andrew), Khari Pierce, his grandchildren, Natahri, Angelo, Veleyna, and NaVaughn, his beloved sister Marilyn Ball-Williams, his niece Pamela Dixon, his nephew Andre Ball and many cousins and friends.

Reggie’s family is grateful for God’s grace and mercy, for allowing their husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, who meant so much to so many; to have weathered the storms in his life that allowed them many wonderful years with him.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in your area.