Gayle S. Reeder, 1943-2019

Gayle S. Reeder, 75, died April 27 in Lake Wales. She was born December 10, 1943, in Mebane, Alamance County, NC to Roy Clifton Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith. She moved with family to Lake Wales, Florida, in 1959.

Gayle graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1962, married Dennis Reeder August 3, 1962. Their son William Luke Reeder was born 1970.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis Reeder, and parents, Roy C. Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith Wilkinson.

She was survived by her son, William Luke Reeder and wife Mary Jane Reeder, of Poulsbo, WA; beloved grandchildren, Lauren Reeder and Luke Reeder, Jr. of Washington; Sister, Libby Atkins of Mebane, NC, Sister, Faye Anderson of Lake Wales, brother, Clifton Smith of Sunny Hills, FL; Sister-in-Law, Shelley Reeder Corrette of California.

She Loved her nieces, Debbie Mintor and Kathy Rogers of Snow Camp, NC, Beth Anderson Garrett of Frostproof, Abigail Smith Poser of Panama City Beach, FL; nephews, Clinton Anderson of Choctaw, OK, and Andy Smith of Graceville, FL. She loved her great-nieces and nephews, Justin Mintor, Austin Mintor, Lauryn, Madeline, Emma Grace and Chloe Smith, Shelby Garrett and Brody Garrett, Chip Anderson, Stephanie Anderson and Lora Prater of Oklahoma.

She is leaving behind so many wonderful, old friends, new friends, church friends, and because of social media, Facebook friends.

Gayle loved her animals. She had many, many dogs over the years, also horses and birds, and cats.

Gayle was very active at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales as a Sunday School teacher, volunteer in the kitchen, Good News Club, tutoring and ladies sewing for missions. She volunteered for many years at the Frostproof Art League, working with children's art, and at the Ramon Theater in Frostproof in many Mystery Dinner Theater plays.

She had many interests including art, fabric art, participating in "Fun" dog events with Cricket and Maddie, gardening and was an avid bird watcher

Her "HAPPY PLACE" was home and she believed her memory would live on because of the 100s of pineapples she shared.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society, 555 Sage Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33881.