Regenia Ann Thompson Creech Gauntt, age 76, of the Chuckey Community, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Christy, on Wednesday, July 27, 2026. Regenia had struggled and battled cancer for the past ten years. She is now at peace in her heavenly home with no more pain or suffering. Regenia valiantly and courageously endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy, never wanting to give up the fight. She loved and cherished any time she could spend with her family. Being a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother gave her many proud memories as she watched her family change and grow through the years. She took great pride in trying to care for her parents, even as her own health failed.
Ebenezer Church on the Nolichuckey River brought spiritual contentment to Regenia. She attended faithfully every Sunday as long as her health permitted. Many Sundays she attended, not being able to hear the actual sermon, but wanted to be in God’s house and serve in any way she could. Regenia also found much joy attending Sunday evening services at Oasis Family Ministries, where her family led the spirit-filled services.
While attending Chuckey-Doak High School, she was voted by her classmates “most courteous” of the senior class. She continued to carry on this well-mannered characteristic in her working years. Regenia was employed by First National Bank, later Bank of America, for 40 years. Her voice was the one you heard when you called the bank and served you at the teller’s window. Kindness, courtesy, and a smiling face always welcomed you to the various branches where she served until her health forced her into early retirement. She had a gift for remembering faces and names as she continued to greet people in her everyday walk of life.
Striving for excellence and perfection in her job, her home, and her appearance were of utmost importance to her. Regenia never left home or let you visit unless every hair was in place, flawless makeup applied, and beautiful manicured nails were glimmering. Her outward appearance masked her physical pain but never out-weighed her true concern for many others. You were always greeted with, “How are you?” before any concern could be shown to her. These flawless characteristics could also cause her and her family times of turbulence, but Regenia never failed to say, “I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me, please know I love you and I would do anything for you.”
All these memories will be cherished by her loving, devoted daughter, Christy (Chuckie) Dyer; mother, Genevieve Thompson; three grandchildren, Zachary (Heidi) Dyer, Logan (Chelsea) Dyer, and Morgan Dyer; four sisters-in-law, Cathy McCurry, Debbie Swanay, Karen Hernandez, and Kathy Thompson. Many other family members, special friends, and neighbors will fondly remember Regenia’s last courageous and fearless years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Auther Thompson; brother and sister, Rick Thompson and Vickie Thompson; husbands, Danny Creech and Craig Gauntt.
The family will receive friends at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home on Sunday, July 26, from 2–4 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 4 o’clock in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Mark Rich officiating.
Family and friends are asked to meet at Doughty-Stevens at 12:15 p.m. Monday to go in procession to Andrew Johnson National Cemetery for the 1 p.m. committal service. Pallbearers will be Zachary Dyer, Logan Dyer, Joel Thompson, Joey Cronin, Dillon Shelton, and Corey Day.
