Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Mary Lee Brown Reid

05/28/1934 - 08/26/2024

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Obituary For Mrs. Mary Lee Brown Reid

Mrs. Mary Lee Brown Reid was born in Calhoun, AL, on May 28, 1934, to the late Annie Mae Bandy and Jackson Brown.

Mary celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends in person and via zoom session on May 27, 2024.

Mary was not only Queen for that day, but she has also always been our Queen and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend and confidant.

Mary, after moving with her father and siblings to Skelton, WV, was a 1953 graduate of Stratton High School, Beckley. She met and married Thomas Reid, Sr., in 1953. The couple had two sons, Thomas, Jr. (Tommy) and Jamie.

Mary, in Beckley, was an active member of Morning Star Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and served with the church administration until her health forced her to relocate to NC. Mary’s employment history included the local VA hospital, JC Penney, and as a dietician. She also attended Beckley College. Mary enjoyed gardening and traveling to visit family and friends. One of her most memorable vacations was a cruise with sister, Velma and her late sisters, Annie Lou, Annie Julia, and Evelyn.

Mary was quite the hostess. She enjoyed welcoming family and friends to her home on the hill. She loved baking cakes and pies. Her favorite cake or the cake that visitors to her home always asked for was pound cake; however, she also showed her baking skills with sweet potato pies, German chocolate cakes and pound cakes with caramel frosting.

Mary succumbed to the effects of a stroke on Monday, August 26, 2024 in Monroe, NC.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Annie Mae Bandy Brown; husband, Thomas Reid, Sr.; five brothers, Willie Brown, J.C. Brown, Perry Brown, Lee Brown and Thomas Brown, and four sisters, Annie Mary Brown, Annie Julia Smothers, Annie Lou Spratling and Evelyn Brooks and one son, Jamie Reid.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories her son, Thomas (Scarlette) Reid, Jr., seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; sister, Velma Hicks, Cleveland, OH; uncle, Tom Patterson, Chicago, IL; special nephew, William Robinson, Beckley, WV; goddaughter, Kimberly Bandy, Bowie, Maryland; and godson, James “Jimmy” Bandy III.

Mary is also cherished by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins and friends. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate that she is at peace with her Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral service will be 11:00AM Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Rev. Charles Gore, Rev. Christian Simmons and Rev. Lorraine Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one hour prior to the funeral service.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

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Condolences

09/07/2024

Kevin Garlow

I worked with Mary at the Beckley VA. She was a sweet woman. Praying that God will comfort you all as only He can do. Philippians 4:7
09/06/2024

Jimmie Mickel & LaVerne

December 2018 Roderick Spratling brought cousin Mary to visit my wife and I after we had moved into our new condo. We were so excited to see her, and so appreciative to cousin Roderick for bringing her. RIP Cousin Mary, you will be missed!
09/06/2024

Jeani Lowe Thompson

My sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Ms. Reid. She was a sweet lady and loved dearly by many. Rest in Heavenly Peace!❤️
09/06/2024

Anne Bandy

The thing I admired most about my cousin Mary was the fierce love she had for her family.
09/06/2024

Manolia T. Cook

Our Deepest Condolences to Thomas Reid and The Reid Family. Our Thoughts and Prayer are with you. God 's Blessing during your time of Bereavement of your Mom Mrs. Mary Reid. Manolia T. Cook and LaVerne A Cook (Bethel Summerville, SC
09/06/2024

Kathy ( Gunnoe ) Denny

I worked with Mrs. Reid at J. C. Penneys downtown, she taught me how to check in catalog shipments. Mrs. Reid was very kind and helpful lady. Kathy ( Gunnoe ) Denny
09/06/2024

Barbara Penn

Mary will be missed. Her true love of family and friends was always shared with good food and joy. Rest in joy, dear cousin. Barbara Harvey Penn
09/06/2024

Sandi Milam

Mary Reid was a classmate of my dad's Charles Smith, they graduated in 1953 from Stratton High School. She used to call me every morning when I was working in radio and request Hold To God's Unchanging Hands by the Jackson Southernaires. My deepest condolences to the family. You have lost a treasure. - Sandra Smith Milam
09/06/2024

Barbara Claytor

To the Family & close friends, we pray and ask the Lord go with each of you providing strength and comfort now and in the days to come. We were blessed to know Sis. Reid but got to know her even better in recent years. She always lifted our spirits with that loving smile and genuine concern. Love to family & friends! Prayers now & in the days to come!🙏🏽
09/05/2024

David L Smith Jr

My deepest sympathy, and the utmost words of comfort to the family at this time celebrating the home going to one I've always called my second Mom. The instruction and all the loving memories she installed in me will always be remembered. Let her beautiful smile and kind words she spoke always be a part of the lives she touched. Sincerely, David L Smith Jr and family.
09/05/2024

Wilbert & Doris McCormick

May God bless you during your time of bereavement. Always remember that God is in control. Be blessed! Wilbert & Doris Boyden-McCormick
09/04/2024

Gloria Sawyers

My name is Gloria Sawyers, and I most recently learned from Mary that she and my mom were best friends. I will never forget the day Mary visited my mom in hospice care. Her kind and caring nature ensured I took breaks to eat, even taking me to their favorite restaurant for takeout. She also brought homemade dishes to our home, which we deeply appreciated. We are praying that the Reid family find peace, healing, and strength through God's infinite love. With Peace and Love, The Leftwich Family
09/03/2024

Kathy Linksweiler

I had the pleasure of working with Mary at the VA .... She always had a smile.. she was a sweet lady.... Condolences to her family
09/01/2024

Elizabeth Richmond
09/01/2024

Eddie & Kim Watts

My sincere condolences and prayers to the Reid family.❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
08/31/2024

Sadie Reed-Simmons

Our Deepest Condolences Prayers and Love Her Beautiful Memories and Smiles with forever be in your Hearts Bethel Missionary Society and Mighty Men of Bethel
08/31/2024

Jeani Lowe Thompson

My sincere condolences and prayers to Ms. Mary Reids family. She was a very sweet lady. Rest in Heavenly Peace Ms. Reid. Love Always, Jeani[❤️
08/30/2024

rick bibbs

So sorry to hear about Ms. Mary passing. She was a very caring woman and a great friend to both my deceased aunt, Esther Smith and my mother, Elizabeth Bibbs, also deceased. My sincere condolences to the family.
08/30/2024

Eileen & Clifford

To the Reid family. You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. May God continue to bless and keep you. Sincerely Clifford and Eileen Washington
08/30/2024

Larry Hoskins

Tributes

Alfred Harvey sent Heartfelt Memories for Mrs. Mary Lee Brown Reid - 09/03/2024

We are so sorry for the passing of our cousin Mary, may she rest in heavenly peace. From: Sonny, Star, Barbara & Gwen Harvey.
Denise Bolling sent Heavenly Heights Bouquet for Mrs. Mary Lee Brown Reid - 09/03/2024

Thomas & Family, Miss Mary will forever hold a special place in the hearts of our family. We offer our heartfelt condolences in her loss. Josie Bolling Thompson & Denise Bolling