Sandra "Sandi" Kaye Ballew Reynolds

Sandra (Sandi) Kaye Ballew Reynolds, 78, of Hickory passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025. Born, June 22nd, 1946 she was the daughter of the late William Phifer Ballew and Mary Kathryn Stamey Ballew.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Wayne Reynolds, daughter Paige Lutes Brigham, sister Cathy Diana Ballew, grandsons Joseph Daniel Brigham (Emily) and Trey Brigham (Leighton), sister-in-law Bonnie Bailey, niece Holly Townsend, and nephews Dane Daughtery (Shakima) and Johnathan Daughtery (Heather) along with their children, Elijah Daughtery, Jacob Daughtery, and Dawson Connor.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by grandparents Lilly and Frederick Stamey and Gertrude and William Ballew, aunts Margie Henry and Marie Parker, and uncles Marvin, Gilbert, Earl, Kelly, Clifford, James, and Ralph Stamey.

Sandi graduated from Drexel High School in 1964. She moved into the hospitality industry and relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Sandi competed for Miss Downtown Charlotte sponsored by Friendly Parking Service and Miss Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1967. During that time she worked at The Heart of Charlotte where she met her first husband, Danny Lutes. They moved to College Park, Maryland and welcomed their daughter while living there.

Sandi and Danny relocated to Hickory to be close to Sandi’s family. They owned and operated successful restaurants including The Charolais and The Paige One. Sandi later went on to launch the restaurants Ivanhoe’s and then Sandi’s. She was also a caterer who brought fabulous creations to public and private events.

Sandi and Joe Reynolds married in 1984. She was a devoted wife, and she and Joe shared over 40 loving years together. Sandi was a gifted artist, decorator, and gardener. Sandi’s yard was her pride and joy, and she spent countless happy hours working in her gardens.

She was very involved with her neighborhood, often referred to as the Mayor of Fourth Street. She rarely missed an opportunity to wave and chat or take gifts to neighbors. Sandi and Joe always opened their home to family and friends. Their home was the epitome of hospitality, and she loved to entertain. From the beautiful Christmas Eve cocktail parties to the spooky Halloween parties complete with outdoor movies and firepits, Sandi was the quintessential hostess. And let’s not forget the Baileys banana coladas in the summer for Friday Girl’s Night.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at Corinth Reformed Church located at 150 16th Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601. The family will receive friends in Corinth’s main sanctuary from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm in Corinth’s main sanctuary with Pastor Barbara Bell and Pastor Lori Blocker officiating.

The family will host a reception for family and friends in the Althouse Room at Corinth immediately following the service.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Frye Regional Medical Center and Carolina Caring Hospice for their exceptional care and support.

Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

The Reynolds family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton. Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.