WHITESVILLE, Ky. — Ferdie Jean (Kelley) Reid, 91, of Whitesville, Kentucky passed away on March 24, 2024. Ferdie was born Aug. 12, 1932, in Whitesville, to Glenn H. Kelley and Virginia (Cissell) Kelley.
She married Earl S. Reid, of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, on July 30, 1950. They were married 66 years before his passing in 2017.
Ferdie worked for GE in her younger years when Earl was in the Army, and later supported Earl as he acquired higher education that provided for them in the years that followed. Ferdie also worked in the floral industry where her eye for design was a natural fit. Throughout their marriage they moved many times, offering Ferdie the opportunity to make the most of where she was with her decorating talent. Events that Ferdie hosted were an expression of her Southern hospitality. She was always active in her church and the schools.
Ferdie spent several years employed with the Southeastern Indiana Rehabilitation Center where she found joy working with special needs children. She devoted her life to her family as a homemaker and mother. As a mother of three active boys, she was their biggest fan in the stands. Together, Ferdie and Earl most enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Earl and Ferdie built the home in Whitesville where they would spend their retirement years. Ferdie was a member of Whitesville Baptist Church and was also involved in the Whitesville Chapter of Eastern Star. After Earl passed, Ferdie spent her later years at the Four Seasons Retirement Community in Columbus, Indiana to be closer to family. The staff at Four Seasons loved her southern charm and sweet Kentucky accent.
Ferdie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Richard and James Kelley, and her great-granddaughter, Claire King.
She is survived by three sons, Kelley Reid (Donna), Wayne Reid (Susan), and Lee Reid; four grandchildren, Megan King (Tim), Ryan Reid (Amanda), Tyler Reid, and Jordan Harvey (Jason); and great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Charlotte, and Elijah King, Lorelei, Henry, Amelia, and Calvin Reid. Survivors also include her brother-in-law, Charles Reid, as well as one niece and three nephews.
Graveside service and burial will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Cecil Funeral Home, Whitesville. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Whitesville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3, Whitesville, KY 42378 with a portion being gifted to the Oneida Baptist Institute in Oneida, Kentucky.