Reilly Michael Brunson

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the Heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

Reilly Michael Brunson, born May 18, 1948, in Forsyth County, was the son of the late John Henry Brunson and the late Australia Warren Brunson. He attended the Forsyth County School System and graduated from Atkins High School, Class of 1966. He furthered his education at Winston‑Salem State University, majoring in History and Sociology.

Reilly moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1970, where he studied Mortgage Banking at Georgia State University. He joined Mutual Savings Bank as Vice President of the Mortgage Loan Department, a role that led him to establish the First Neighborhood Housing Program in Atlanta as Executive Director. He later returned to North Carolina to open a Neighborhood Program (NIFD) in Charlotte, NC, serving as Executive Director for Barkley/America Bank.

Expanding his expertise in mortgages, Reilly started a private business called Reilly & Associates Consultants, working with various banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and First Union in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Reilly later continued his work in Cincinnati, Ohio; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Memphis, Tennessee, before returning to Charlotte.

He eventually returned to Winston‑Salem, NC, where he served as an active member on the board of Liberty East Redevelopment Inc (LER). He joined Saint Paul United Methodist Church, serving in the Meals on Wheels Church Ministry and the United Methodist Men’s Ministry. One of the greatest joys of his later life was reuniting with his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Perry, whom he married on June 17, 2024.

Reilly is survived by his wife, Carolyn Perry Brunson; stepson Carl Perry Jr. (Sigrid Hall); stepdaughter Carla Perry; and grandchildren Carl Perry, III, Ayden and Syan Hall-Pittsley. He is also survived by his siblings: Shirley Mays, Herman Brunson Sr. (Gertrude), Patricia Martin, Twanda McCollum (Thaddeous), Anita Dixon, Angela Brunson, John H. Brunson Jr. (Melisa), Charles Brunson (Cathy), and Mark Brunson.

Reilly was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Marvin Brunson.
 

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