Reba Strain Cole

Reba Strain Hemphill died December 3, 2010 in Jackson, Mississippi, at Compere’s Nursing Home. She was born July 16, 1922 in Montgomery County to Bertha Smith Strain and Drue E. Strain. Her brothers, Dwight Strain and Drue Strain, Jr., predeceased her, as well as her son-in-law Joseph Walker Barnwell, and her great grandchild, Katherine Emily White. Reba grew up in Minter City, Mississippi and lived for many years in Greenwood. Most of her working career was as a medical assistant and she was instrumental in starting the Mississippi Medical Assistance Association in the 1960’s. When Reba retired she began to paint. She had a gift for watercolor and sold her paintings at the Canton Flea market for several years. One of her watercolors recently was selected for the cover art of the 2011 calendar for the Mississippi Health Care Association. Reba was also a gifted flower arranger and decorated for weddings. She was an active member of the Carrolton Garden Club and won the tricolor and first, second and third place year after year during the Carrolton Pilgrimage. After the death of her husband , Lewis Simpson Hemphill, Jr., she moved to Memphis in 1980.

She became an active member of St John’s Episcopal Church serving as the President of the ECW and as a lay Eucharistic visitor. She served on the flower guild and especially enjoyed her involvement with St John’s Fall Festival , spearheading the arts and crafts. Working tirelessly, helping to establish the Cursillo movement in the Diocese of West Tennessee. She was a Daughter of the King.

Reba is survived by her four children, Gayle McPherson Barnwell, James F. McPherson, Jr. (Grace), Betty McPherson Daugherty, and Jane McPherson Simpson (Robert), her sister-in-law, Martha L. Strain and a host of nieces and nephews. She was Mimi to her nine grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.

The family wants to thank the loving staff at Compere’s Nursing Home for the exceptional care and friendship they gave our Mother.

The funeral service will be on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3245 Central Ave., Memphis, Tennessee at 1:00 o’clock p.m. The family will receive visitors one hour before the service.

The family suggest that memorials be made to CountryOaksRecovery.org or St. John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis. Online guest book www.wrightferguson.com