Creta Labelle Reeder, 100, of Ridgeway, Mo., went to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Reeder; parents, Aaron and Ada Matson; brothers, Roy, Elza, Cleo, Dean; sisters, Flossie Gillespie, Pearl Matson, Minnie Bowen, Alma Billups, Freda Matson, Ruth Matson, Helen Billups and a granddaughter, Lilly Clare Reeder. She leaves behind six children, 17 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Creta was born December 5, 1918 near Blythedale, Mo., the daughter of Aaron and Mary Ada (Harrold) Matson.
She worked in Ridgeway assisting as a cook and housekeeper in a boarding home.
On March 20, 1941, she married William Paul Reeder. They met in 1937 at a neighbor’s farm where Paul worked at harvesting sorghum and Creta served as a cook. To this union, six children were born, Stuart Reeder (Gloria) of Wilmington, Ill.; Janice Kampmann (Gary) of Orion, Ill.; Ed Reeder (Rita) of Independence, Mo.; Mark Reeder (Kristi) of Ridgeway, Mo.; Annette Cully (Mike) of Gassville, Ark.; and Bruce Reeder (Terri) of Lawton, Okla.
Creta was a lifelong farmerâs wife on their land east of Ridgeway. She assisted in milking cows, raising chickens, raising livestock, and supported in all the farming roles. She frequently talked about how she wanted to be doing these things in her final days. Creta also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and reading. She was competitive, witty, and humorous. There were always âMomâs sayingsâ for everything. Her wisdom, guidance, and knowledge were shared in many of these quips.
Her grandchildren were an important part of her life and she enjoyed many of their school sports. She and Paul put up stores of fruits, vegetables, and jams to support their family of eight. The foods that she cooked and baked are sweet memories for all who were fortunate to partake. Her hot rolls were always a welcomed treat.
She was a member of the local community Good Neighborâs Club. Creta was a charter member of the Ridgeway Baptist Mission in the late 1950s, which later became Ridgeway Baptist Church. She participated there in such roles as WMU director, Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, and she was an active member until her death.
Creta and Paul often hospitably hosted many pastors in their home. They faithfully served their Lord and Savior through life-long ministry at Ridgeway Baptist Church.
Creta loved her family, children, and grandchildren, and she always enjoyed and looked forward to all of them returning home for visits. All who were blessed enough to know her will remember Creta as a strong woman of integrity and character. Her honest, kind, and loving nature will be missed, but we believe the words of Psalm 116: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”
Services were September 3, 2019 at the Baptist Church, Ridgeway. Burial will be at the Lilly-Bowman Cemetery, Ridgeway.
Memorials may be made to the Ridgeway Baptist Church or Lilly-Bowman Cemetery.
Services provided by Bethany Memorial Chapel. Tributes may be left at www.bethanymemorialchapel.com