Deacon Ernest Wadsworth Reid

Deacon Ernest Wadsworth Reid, a humble and quiet man, was born on April 6, 1934 to the late George Dory Reid and Maudia Day Reid in Denmark, Tennessee. Sadly his mother passed when he was 4 years old. He was raised by his father and stepmother Sarah Reid. He was the youngest of six children and all have preceded him in death.

Deacon Ernest Reid's informative years were spent working on the farm with his father. While plowing the field he ran across several black snakes and informed his father that he would not plow again but he ended up working in the cotton and strawberry fields. There he met a young lady by the name of Ruthie Lee Glenn, who he was smitten with but he left and went to Chicago on a bus. He found a job as a busboy but that was short lived after dropping the dishes. He returned to Tennessee to ask the father of Ruthie Lee Glenn for her hand in marriage. He promised her father that he would take care of her and he gave him his approval. Wanting to join his brothers Rev. George Houston Reid and Deacon Bobbie Lee Reid in Indianapolis, the two of them drove to Indianapolis in a Studebaker and joined the Israel of God's Church W.H.A. On August 31, 1954, they were united in marriage by Rev. O.R. Hillman and from this union 3 daughters were born. He was proud to have been married 70 years to one wife (when you seen one you seen the other) and being a true and faithful servant for over 70 years to one church.

Deacon Ernest Reid served the church with unparalleled enthusiasm in various capacities. He was the Janitor, Sunday School teacher, Treasurer, on the buying committee and part of the local male quartet during Christian Endeavor in earlier years. He was ordained a deacon in 1979 and was proud to be a deacon. If you asked him to help out he would. He was also the 'go to' man when something went array. After conferences you could find him still cleaning up after all was said and done. Humble as he was, he never complained. Traveling with the church was a pleasure to him because he loved fellowshipping with all of the members.

Deacon Ernest Reid was employed at International Harvester now known as Navistar and he was known to his co-workers as "Ernie". He started off washing cars for some of the managers there. One manager noticed that he kept coming back so they offered him a job in the paint shop and he accepted the job. He then was moved to the foundry and stayed there until he retired at the age of 53 on July 31, 1987. After his retirement he continued to tinker on cars and whatever else he could do to keep himself busy.

Through his life he enjoyed filming with his 8mm camera trips with the family, trips with the church and home movies. He also enjoyed fishing as well, especially when he went to Port Huron with some of the older deacons who have since passed on.

Due to his declining health over the years, he was unable to perform his obligations to the church but his mind stayed on God.

On Monday, June 9, 2025, Deacon Ernest Wadsworth Reid fulfilled his vows to take care of his wife til death did them part. He said last Monday, June 2nd that he couldn't get down the road but this Monday God took his hand and walked with him. He went peacefully. He was a great husband, wonderful father, loving pappa, good friend, good story teller and a true Israel of God's Church deacon.

Deacon Ernest Wadsworth Reid was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Rev. George Houston Reid, Dea. Bobbie Lee Reid and their wives, sisters Katherine Reid, Nevada Pate, Adele Reid, his youngest daughter Valerie Jean Wright and a host of other family members.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Ruthie Lee Reid, daughters Joyce Marie Banks, Patricia Faye (Robert ) Williams, grandsons USAF MSgt. Reid W. Merriwether of Oahu,Hawaii, Ryan W. Merriwether, Bruce E. Wright of Indianapolis, Indiana, Robert A. (Monique) Williams Jr. of Brooklyn, New York, great-grand children Kaylee R. Merriwether of Savannah, Georgia, Nyla M. Dickens of Birmingham, Alabama, Aryiah Z. Merriwether of Pendleton, Indiana, MaKenna A. Pappas-Williams of Brooklyn, New York, Brandon D. Wright , Dalen W. Merriwether, Jaxon D. Wagner and Aaron W. Miles all of Indianapolis, Indiana. 7 Brothers in laws, 6 sister in laws and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. His memory will be eternally honored by those he loved.

A visitation for Ernest will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Israel of God's Church, 2135 Fox Hill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46228, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM.