Beverly Ann Reed

Beverly Ann Reed (née Golding), of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away early Monday, April 29, 2019, at the spry age of 84. She was born a mid-Westerner, grew up a California girl, had a family as a globe-trotting Army wife, and ended up a Southern belle who once had the door held open for her by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (a story that she loved to tell). Beverly began her life in Clarinda, Iowa on September 3, 1934, born as the only daughter to David M. Golding (of Hiawatha, Kansas) and Hazel V. Newman (of Villisca, Iowa). As a young lady she was a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ to support her family during the Korean War. Shortly thereafter she became an Army wife, an adventure that she loved and that took her to Frankfurt, Germany; Catlett, Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; and Honolulu, Hawai’i (among other places). She always said Germany was her favorite place that she ever visited and she was pleased as punch when genealogical records revealed her German ancestry. She moved her family to Ocean Springs in 1971 and has called the Mississippi Gulf Coast home ever since. Beverly loved talking to people - so much so that she made a living out of it as a bartender, bowling alley owner, and later, a greeter at the Grand Casino. She had daily coffee dates with her friends at the Villa Maria, and had the busiest telephone in Ocean Springs - she’d often end calls with loved ones by complaining that her ear was hot from holding up the phone for so long. Beverly had endless patience for children and dogs and an opinion on absolutely everything. She loved giving advice; even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear, it was often exactly what you needed to hear. Some of her favorite things were rhubarb pie, soft blankets, QVC shopping, music, the Rose Parade, and dirty jokes (which she would feign innocence of around newcomers). Beverly was a voracious reader who picked up everything from literature to tabloids, and urged everyone that she met to read her favorite book, “...And Ladies of the Club”. She loved feeding people, and her granddaughters, in particular, are eternally grateful for her perfect Christmas fudge recipe. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents and brothers (Glen, Gordon, and James). She is survived by her children Rory (Teri) Averill, of Columbus, OH; Glen (Ann) Reed, of Gautier, MS; Kathleen (née Reed) Hendrickson, of Gulfport, MS; Lori (Joyce Pitre) Reed of Jackson, MS; and Larry (Jennifer) Reed, of Ocean Springs, MS; 12 grandchildren Ryan (Adam) Long, Dustin Reed, Courtney (Thomas Darapiza) Smith, Casey Reed Broussard, Aubrey (Craig) Bonsal, David (Michelle) Close, Layne Averill, Erin (Lee) Smith, Caroline Johnson, Olivia Reed, Lilly Reed, and Averill Reed; and over a dozen great-grandchildren. There were countless others all over the country who called her Mom, Grandma, sister, or friend; all who knew her will miss her open heart. A private family ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held, in lieu of a service.