Louise Reid

Louise Reid, a long-time resident of Temple, passed away on May 25th in Austin. Born on a farm near Franklin, TX, Louise grew up loving the natural beauty of central Texas. Her father, Grover Cleveland (“Cleve”) Bristow, farmed the land and ran cattle until an advanced age. Her mother, Neoma (“Oma”) Hogan Bristow, was a homemaker on the farm and later in town in Franklin. Louise graduated with honors from Franklin High School and then went on to graduate with her R. N. from nursing school at Herman Hospital in Houston. There she met Dr. Raymond A. (“Ray”) Reid, who was an intern there. They married in 1944.

While Ray was stationed in Japan right after World War II, Louise remained in Franklin. Then Ray was later stationed at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco, and Louise joined him in the Bay Area with their new arrival, son James (“Jim”). In 1947, Ray and Louise moved to Levelland, TX, near Lubbock, where Ray had grown up. Ray began an 18-year career as a family physician in Levelland, while Louise was active in local clubs and homemaking. During their years in Levelland, Ray and Louise welcomed daughter Carolyn and son Gary into the family.

In 1964, Ray and Louise moved with the family to Temple, where Ray joined the staff at the Temple Veterans Administration hospital and eventually became a staff pathologist. Louise continued her role as homemaker in Temple, while taking an active role in local activities. She became a member of the V. A. Women’s Club immediately after arriving in Temple. She and Ray joined the First Baptist Church and were both life-long members. She treasured her long-time “Naomi” Bible Class at First Baptist Church. Louise was an active and avid member of the Central Texas Camera Club and the Audubon Society.

Louise’s enthusiasm for life was exemplified by the full calendar of events and commitments that she maintained. Louise avidly pursued several “serious” hobbies, in particular photography and bird-watching. She and Ray often enjoyed outings and vacations where both hobbies could be combined. Her hand-annotated Field Guide to American Birds documented hundreds of bird species she sighted and identified around the country over a period of decades. Louise and Ray were also world travelers, making numerous trips to such destinations as Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. They especially enjoyed an extended cruise to South America, around Cape Horn. They also traveled extensively in the United States, where Louise amassed an extensive portfolio of landscape and wildflower photographs, her specialties. Her home in Temple was adorned wall to wall with her nature photography from locations in Texas and around the country. She annually exhibited her photography at the Temple Cultural Arts Center.

In the final year of her long life, Louise moved to the Elan assisted living facility in South Austin, where she passed away.

Louise was devoted to her children and grandchildren and was delighted to eventually welcome five great-grandchildren into the family. She also loved to visit with her brother Jack and sister Patsy, both of whom pre-deceased her, and their families. Among her last words to her daughter was, “How is everybody?" referring to everyone in her close and extended family around the country.

Louise was pre-deceased by her husband Ray, her son Gary, her brother Jack Bristow, and her sister Patsy Price. Louise is survived by her son James and wife Ryoko (San Diego, CA), and grandchildren Yuki Louise Reid (San Francisco, CA) and Dean Reid (Los Angeles, CA); her daughter Carolyn Colwell and husband Tom (Austin), and grandchildren Zachary Colwell and wife Rawan (Brooklyn, NY) and Mark Colwell (San Francisco, CA); her son Gary’s wife Shannon Nielson Reid (Tulsa, OK), and grandchildren Virginia (“Gin”) Hoffman and husband Patrick (Ellsworth, KS), and Kendra Bossig and husband Aaron (Norman, OK). In later years she welcomed five great-grandchildren: Kiera, Evan, and Vivienne Hoffman (Ellsworth, KS), Bridget Bossig (Norman, OK) and Isabella Colwell (Brooklyn, NY). Other survivors include her brother-in-law Ben Price and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 7 – 8:30 P.M. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home followed by burial at Bellwood Memorial Park.

The family would welcome donations in her memory to the Audubon Society.