Della Reed

Funeral services for Della Gyrene (Lewallen) Reed will be held at 10:00 A.M.  Mon., March  14, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Odem TX followed by burial at Bethel Cemetery  located on Co. Rd. 1876 south of Odem.  Services will be under the direction of Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home in Sinton TX, Rev. Willis Moore  officiating. Reed, 92, went to be with the Lord on March 8, 2011 at her home near Odem.  She was born October 2, 1918 in Hope AR to J.C. Lewallen and Carrie Loyola (Branson) Lewallen.  She lived most of her life in Odem, TX where she attended school and graduated from Odem High School.  On December 24, 1937, in Laredo TX, Della married Royce Clyde Reed. Four daughters were born to that union.  His death on March 20, 2008, ended 71 years of marriage for the couple. She was a charter member of VFW Post Auxiliary #8916 in Odem, later transferring to Sinton TX Post #8625, serving in several auxiliary post positions both on the local and district levels. Della became a Christian at an early age and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Odem. She spent her entire life making the world a better place.  Her family was high priority in her life, and she spent many hours tending a garden, sewing, cooking, and, during the 50s era, keeping her daughters’ many petticoats full.  She knew and taught her daughters to sing many folk and religious songs.  She loved both reading and being read to.  For a time she and her husband lived in Seminole OK, where both enjoyed the companionship of the people at Heritage House. Della was preceded by her parents, husband, Royce Reed, two sons-in-law, Sammy Fuller and John Scarberry, brother Jake Lewallen,  sister Pearl Awalt,  infant brother Walton Lewallen and infant sister, Lewis Irena Lewallen.  She is survived by a large family and many friends. They include 5 daughters and sons-in-law:  Della Ninon & Johnny Carson of Wills Point TX, Gyrene & Steve Osgood of Arlington TX, Kay Scarberry of Bowlegs OK, Jan & Charles Vickers of Odem, and Maria de la Cruz of Odem, brother-in-law Jesse (Vera) Lewallen of Houston TX, and sister Audrey (Lewis) Jenkins of League City TX.  Grandchildren are Royce Fowler, Michele (Kevin) Smith, Laura Carson, Paul (Amy) Fuller, Tylene (Bruce) Galinet, Bruce   Osgood, Sandra (Mike) Atyia, Cherry (Terry) Howard, Lt. Col. Benjamin (Sue) Higginbotham, Joseph Higginbotham, and Jan Elizabeth (Leighton) Stovall.  Great-grandchildren are Tyler Poetschke, Kayla Poetschke, Conner Smith, Davis Smith, Jake Fuller, Reed Fuller, twins Bailey and Decker Galinet, Alexandra Osgood, Georgie Osgood, Parker Osgood, Kyle Atyia, Johnnie (Alison) Atyia, Lee Howard, Victoria (Trent) Goodwin, Angel Howard, Gabbi Howard, Jaden Howard, Elizabeth Higginbotham, Hannah Higginbotham, Katherine Higginbotham, Grace Higginbotham, Jennifer Mokshefsky, Jonathan Higginbotham, Zachary Stovall, Caleb Stovall, Sarah Elizabeth Stovall.  Her great-great grandchildren are Riley Poetschke, Cooper Atyia, and Breann Goodwin, and Kohen Goodwin, yet to be born.  Serving as bearers will be her grandchildren.  Viewing will be Sun., Mar. 14, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. with family visitation 4 – 6 p.m. at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home located at 120 S. McCall in Sinton, Texas 78387-2510. Phone Number 361-364-1311. The family wishes to thank Amy Jo, Bob, Rosie, Ben, Kathy, Melinda, Julie, and other personnel of Odyssey Hospice and the staff of Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home for their loving care and support. Funeral Information: March 14, 2011, 10:00 AM First Baptist Church Odem, Texas located at 307 W. Turner Street, Odem, TX 78370