Obituary of Ruth Reed-Reid

Ruth Reed-Reid was born on August 30, 1944 in Poughkeepsie, New York. She departed this life on January 6, 2016 in Poughkeepsie. She was the daughter of the late Jesse and Bessie Singleton Chambers. Raised in Beacon and Fishkill, New York, Ruth married Eldridge "Sonny" Reed in 1965. He preceded her in death in 1973. She later married Frank H. Reid in 1993. Mr. Reid survives at home in Poughkeepsie. Ruth worked for 30 years at IBM, retiring in 1996. She continued working for the Poughkeepsie City School District as a teaching assistant after retirement until 1998. As an avid lover of antiques, Ruth would go antiquing as often as possible. She loved good food, socializing, going to the movies, and Broadway plays with friends. She was affiliated in a number of community activities which allowed her to remain active during her retirement. She was a devoted member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Wappingers Falls. Ruth loved her family, friends and life. She admired so many people that she came to know. She was an inspiration to so many over the years. Ruth was always ready to discuss any topic and provide her opinion without being confrontational. Ruth took pride in dressing for the occasion no matter what it might be. Although she had to deal with many illnesses over the last 20 years, she fought each one with all she could with dignity and grace. In addition to her husband, Frank H. Reid, she leaves to cherish her memory her son, Eric D. Reed and his wife, Karen Briscoe-Reed of the Town of Poughkeepsie; her daughters by marriage, Kristen Reid of Pearl, Mississippi and Karen Reid of Poughkeepsie; her brother, Jesse Chambers, Jr. and his wife, Dorothy of Las Vegas, Nevada; her sisters, Dolores "Bitsy" Johnson and her husband, Arthur of Poughkeepsie and Judy Chambers of Oakland, California; her grandson, Jacob Reed; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends. In addition to her parents and first husband, Sonny Reed, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Chambers. She will be remembered as a faithful servant of God and for her loving compassionate spirit and her beautiful smile. Her family wishes to thank all the medical staff who helped Ruth deal with her illnesses over the years. We also thank her many friends who stood by her and were always willing to help. Family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 2607 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Edward L. Hunt officiating. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9 in Fishkill. Memorial donations in Ruth's name may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 900, Rochester, NY 14620. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.