Drum & Willis-Reynolds - Cremation - Service � Conover � North Carolina

Our Mission

To lovingly and carefully guide you through one of life's most difficult experiences, the death of a loved one.
To help you adjust to your loss, and face with courage the changes necessary for you to return to a normal and meaningful life.

Our Philosophy

Drum Funeral Home No two funerals are the same. Each family we serve has unique and important needs that we strive to satisfy. By working closely with your family we can arrange a funeral ceremony that will express the special, one-of-a-kind relationship that you shared with your loved one and help enrich the memories that you will cherish forever.

We believe that you will only find this type of dedication from a local, family-owned funeral home. We’re pleased and proud to continue our 71-year old tradition of compassionate service, from our family, to yours.

We hope that our site will be able to answer any questions you might have and we thank you for your interest in our funeral home.

We do our best to deliver service beyond expectation. Whether you come to us when your loved one has died, or when you want to make your arrangements in advance, we provide you with services tailored to your needs and desires. Our staff members are your caring friends and neighbors, who are active in your community, and ready to serve you and your family. Maintaining a tradition of quality service is our top priority. It is our privilege to uphold that tradition while helping you in your time of need.

Pursuit of Excellence

Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home Drum Funeral Home has been the proud recipient of the National Funeral Director Association award for excellence in service for twenty consecutive years.

Ranked among the top two percent of funeral homes nationwide, the Pursuit of Excellence Program’s award recipients are dedicated to maintaining a positive image for funeral service by consistently providing outstanding service to families, ongoing education to staff and adherence to only the highest ethical and professional standards. Visit the 2008 Pursuit of Excellence Award Recipients page to check out the “who’s who” in funeral service excellence.

The best funeral homes, the best funeral directors, are compelled to do more than is expected for their communities and the families they serve. As it should be -the finest funeral directors have a passion for exceeding expectations. Our passion is serving you and your family in your time of need.




Stuart Terry President / CEO	B. Stuart Terry, President and CEO, was born in Hickory, North Carolina, son of the late William Ben Terry and Jessie Pearson Terry. He was Educated in the Hickory City schools and is an alumnus of Clemson University and NC State University with a BA Degree in Business Management. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he received the Knowles Memorial Award for excellence in management. Licensed in 1964 as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, he joined Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Raleigh, NC and later became Vice-President after over 20 years of service. In February of 1986, he purchased the Drum Funeral Home in Conover, NC from the Drum family. In December of 1986, he purchased the Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton, NC from Mrs. June Bolick Reynolds. Active in the community, he served 12 years on the Conover City Council, the last four years as Mayor-Pro Tem. He served on the Hickory Conover Tourism Development Authority and is past chair. He is a retired member of the Conover Volunteer Fire Department where he served as engineer. He and his wife, Frances (Frankie) Terry, are active members of First Presbyterian in Newton, where Stuart is an elder, former member of the choir, and served as Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the new sanctuary and educational space raising $4.3 million dollars. Frankie sings in the Chancel Choir.
Greg Terry Executive Vice President	Greg joined his father, Stuart, in business after graduating from Clemson University in 1989. At Clemson University, Greg received a BS degee in Business Administration and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and the golf team. He received his NC Funeral Directors License in 1991. Greg is married to Julie Cozort Terry and they have two children, Madeline and Alex. Greg enjoys spending time with his family, watching his children in their sports activities, playing golf, snow skiing, and traveling. Greg and his family are active members of Concordial Lutheran Church in Conover where he is currently serving the church as an usher and a member of the Praise Worship set-up committee, and is a former member of the Stewardship Committee. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Peoples Bank, a 20 year volunteer fire fighter and secretary of the Conover Fire Department, Vice-President of the Athletic Boosters Club of Concordia Christian Day School, and is past president, Paul Harris Fellow, and member of the Newton-Conover Rotary Club. Greg has served on numerous boards or organizations in the community, such as, Sipes Orchard Home, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Catawba Science Center, Family Guidance Center - Big Brothers / Big Sisters, United Way, and the Newton Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Robbie Bennett General Manager	Robert F. "Robbie" Bennett has served as the General Manager for the funeral homes since January of 2003. He and his wife, Rhonda reside in Newton along with their son, Kyle. Robbie is a member of Terrell Baptist Church; Balls Creek Lions Club, where is a past president; Balls Creek Optimist Club, where he is currently Vice-President but also a Past President; and a former member of Bandy's Volunteer Fire Department. Robbie is a 1982 graduate of Maiden High School and a1986 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science. He was appointed by Catawba County Commissioners to serve on Balls Creek small area planning committee. He also services as District 10 Director for North Carolina Funeral Directors Association. He loves following son Kyle's baseball, Catawba County High School sports and Wake Forest University football where nephew plays.
Duane Alexander Manager of Advance Funeral Planning	Duane David Alexander joined our staff in February 2008 and became manager of Advance Funeral Planning in September of that year of all three locations. He began his career in 1993 after servicing nine years in the United States Army. As a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, he knows of the importance of recognizing the people that serve our Country. He has joined the National Veterans History Archival Institute for the purpose of assisting veterans record their time in service, preserving their military record and to officially place it on file with the Library of Congress. He is also involved with the Veterans and Family Memorial Care Program in which Drum and Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes are the only provider in Catawba County. Duane has been a Rotarian since 1997 and has served at a club level as secretary, and president, and at the district level, as assistant district governor. He is now a member of the Lake Hickory Rotary Club. He has one son, Benjamin, who plans on becoming a high school Latin teacher. Duane enjoys motorcycling, golf, boating, hiking, movies, dining, and reading.
Jon Ostrander Manager of Drum Funeral Home of Hickory and Funeral Director	Jon Ostrander joined our staff in March 2007 as Manager of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory. He began his funeral career in 1962 and had served as manager for Harry & Bryant Company in Charlotte for 6 years. Jon is a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. He and his wife, Roseann reside in Hickory. Jon loves baseball, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.
Johnny Saunders Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Crematory Operator	Johnny C. Saunders is a lifelong citizen of Newton. He began his funeral career in 1968. Johnny is a member of First United Methodist Church in Newton, the Newton Lions Club, where he is a past president and Catawba Lodge 248. Johnny resides in Newton with his 2 children.
Chris Besoiu Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Operator
Erin Besoiu Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Operator	Erin is a 2000 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio and has worked in funeral service for 10 years. She is a native of Michigan. She and her son are members of Calvary's Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Catawba. Erin enjoys reading, exercising, Southern Gospel music, and spending time with her son, who is active in a variety of different sports.
Dave Blackburn Funeral Director Assistant	Dave has been with Drum Funeral Home for six years and is a member of Providence Road Baptist Church. He and his wife Doris have been married for 40 years and have two sons, Chris and Eric as well as granddaughter Savannah.
Larry Cooley Funeral Director's Assistant
John Ervin Funeral Director Assistant	John C. Ervin has worked as a Funeral Director Assistant since April of 2006. He is a lifelong resident of Catawba County. He is an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Newton where he serves as an elder, session member and on the property committee. He is a Catawba County ABC Board member and a member of the Auxiliary Deputy for Catawba County Sheriff's Dept. He formerly served on CVCC Motorsports Advisory Board. Married for 35 years to Frances Harbinson Ervin, John and Frances reside in Conover. Veteran crew chief for Nascar racing teams, John was inducted into the Nascar Mechanics Sports Hall of Fame. Before retirement John was CFO and Team Manager of Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure in Denver, NC. John enjoys golf and gardening.
Randy McAfee Funeral Director Assistant
Mike McRee Funeral Director Assistant	Michael "Mike" E. McRee has worked part time as a funeral director assistant since 2004. He is a physical education teacher at St. Stephens Elementary School in Hickory. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he serves on the church council. He and wife Carla live in Hickory and have 2 grown sons and 1 grandson. He loves to golf and travel.
Harold Miller Funeral Director Assistant
Gary Patterson Funeral Director Assistant	Gary R. Patterson works as a part time Funeral Director Assistant. He has been with the funeral homes since Sept 2004. He serves as a local minister for First Christian Church in Newton and as Chaplain for the American Legion Post #16. He loves reading and stamp collecting. He and his wife reside in Newton.
Bobby Hollar Funeral Director's Assistant
Johnny Wesson Funeral Director Assistant
Patricia Merritt Office Manager	Patricia "Patti" Merritt began working for Drum Funeral Home in Conover in March of 1986 as a Secretary. Patti and her husband, Danny reside in Hickory with their 2 children. She is a member of First United Methodist Church in Hickory, where she teaches Sunday School and is a member of the United Methodist Women. She serves on the council of her son's boy scout troop and is a former girl scout leader. She is a member and past president of the Hickory Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She loves spending time with her family, quilting and sewing.
Teresa Schrum Administrative Assistant	Teresa B. Schrum has worked in the office for Drum and Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes since March of 1998. She previously worked in the office for the aviation and trucking industry for over 23 years. Teresa currently is a part time administrative assistant for Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory. She is a member of Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church. She loves camping, hiking, fishing, gardening, reading and spending time with her family. She reside in Newton with her husband, Tim and they have two grown children and a granddaughter.
Belinda Harrison Administrative Assistant	Belinda W. Harrison has worked in the office of Conover location since 2002. She has semi-retired and fortunately is now working part-time for us. She is a member of Mt. View United Methodist Church in Claremont, the church choir and United Methodist Women. She is also a member of the Hickory chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Belinda has an associates degree in Administrative Office Technology from Catawba Valley Community College retired after 25 years from Embarq (formerly Sprint Telephone Company). Belinda resides in Newton. She loves reading, traveling and needle crafts.
Roseann Ostrander Administrative Assistant	Roseann Ostrander began working at our Conover location in March of 2007 as an administrative assistant. She is a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Roseann and her husband, Jon reside in Hickory. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Loretta Kuhn Administrative Assistant	Loretta S. Kuhn began working at our office at the Hickory location in June of 2007. She had worked with B B & T for 40 years and the Credit Bureau for 10 years. Loretta is a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Hickory. Loretta and her husband, Phillip reside in Hickory. She enjoys gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Betty Cloninger	Betty H. Cloninger has worked part time helping in the office and working visitations since 2001. She is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Claremont and serves on the Claremont Recreation Committee. She loves her community and spending time with her family.
Judy Cox
Jane Hamilton
Vivian Jordan
Sandra Miller	Sandra Miller has worked part time helping in the office and working receiving for the funeral homes since 2001. Sandra and her husband of 45 years, Terry resides in Claremont. They have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Sandra is a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where she is a member of church council, handbell choir and communion steward. Also works part time with Claremont Police Department and Claremont City Hall. She loves to walk, listen to Southern Gospel Music and working outside in the yard and garden. Sandra loves to be with her family and friends. Her greatest love is spending time with her grandchildren who are the light of her life.
Norene Setzer	Norene Setzer began working visitations in 2000 after retiring from Human Resources of Bassett Upholstery, after 38 years of service. She is a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church and works at the Corner Table Soup Kitchen in Newton. Norene lives in Conover and loves being involved in church activities and gardening. She loves spending time with her family and at her lake house.
Thelma Sherrill Receptionist	Thelma Sherrill works part time as a receptionist for both visitations and the offices of all of our locations. She has worked for our company since July of 2000. She loves reading, shopping and spending time with family and friends. Thelma resides in Newton and has 2 grown sons. She is a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where she served as church hostess for 7 years. She also volunteers for the American Red Cross Blood service, where she has served for over 27 years. She formerly worked for over 18 years with the Eastern Catawba County Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Betty Spencer
Kaye Williams	Kaye Litten Williams has helped in the office and worked visitations since 1998. She is a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church; Lenoir-Rhyne College's Heritage Society; National Education Association; North Carolina Association of Educators; Catawba County Retired School Personnel; North Carolina Retired Government Employees' Association. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College and retired from Newton-Conover City School after 30 1/2 years as a teacher Kaye loves gardening, traveling, and reading. She resides in Conover.
Rosemary Fisher Administrative Assistant and Evening Attendant
Carolyn Haas Administrative Assistant
Nancy Hartsell Administrative Assistant and Evening Attendant