Reba Lorraine Nelson went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Born in Greenville, Michigan on April 12, 1930, she was the youngest of five children born to Doris Irene McGee and T.J. McGee. She came to know the Lord early in age and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Greenville, Michigan.
Reba and Forrest met the summer of 1953. Brought together by God, the couple married a year later on November 13, 1954 in Greenville, Michigan. Having been married over 66 years, they experienced many adventures. While Forrest was serving in the United States Air Force, they lived in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It was in North Carolina that her husband was discharged, and soon after they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1957. The endearing love Reba and Forrest shared was an inspiration to so many couples.
Forrest and Reba loved the Lord and each other deeply. They became charter members of Southern Heights Baptist Church in 1968, where they served the Lord in various areas. Reba was blessed with many talents and some of her activities included playing the piano and organ, leading choirs, working with the youth, serving in the nursery, attending home Bible studies, and serving with the Women’s Fellowship.
Decorating, sewing and craft projects were her favorite hobbies. As a skilled seamstress she made many clothes including wedding gowns, prom dresses, and other garments for her family and friends. She also made many costumes and choral robes for church plays and concerts. One of her favorite TV channels was HGTV. She loved watching Western late into the night.
Reba was an educator at heart and worked as a teaching assistant at Hanna and Irwin Elementary Schools. Not only was she employed with the local public schools, but she also volunteered as a Girl Scouts Leader having Brownie Troops at these schools. Later she became the director of the preschool at Southern Heights Baptist Church where many of the children are now adults with successful careers and a love for the Lord.
Preceded in death are her parents T.J. and Doris McGee, son Timothy, sisters Unis Beard, Phyllis Carson, and brother T.J. McGee. She is survived by her husband, Forrest G. Nelson, sister, Mamie Jacobs, sisters-in-law Betty MacKenzie, Sylvia Ann Ray, Maxine Nelson, and Louise McGee; children Darrell (Connia), Ronald (Patrice), Monte (Michelle), Natalie (Antione I), grandchildren Adriel (Leroy Jr.), Monte, Joshua, Antione II, Montell, Michael, Auston, Donavon, Micah, Aaron, Wesley, great-grandchildren Amaya, Leo, Langston, many nieces, nephews, godchildren, extended family, and dear friends. She will be dearly missed.
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