On September 18, 2020, Georgia Reeve, loving wife and mother of four passed away at the age of 92. Georgia was born on January 16, 1928, in Erick, Oklahoma, in the heart of what was then the Dust Bowl. The only child of Lucille and George Smith, Georgia grew up mostly in Littlefield, Texas, with her mother, grandmother and aunt. She attended Texas Women’s University and graduated with a degree in journalism. She worked in several local newspaper offices and soon married her first husband, Bill Berhman. Georgia and Bill had a son, Barry, in 1952. Bill passed in 1953 after contracting polio.
In 1957 Georgia met Francis Wells “Ranny” Reeve Jr. thanks to the intervention of mutual friends, Laverne and LD Clark. They were married that same year and Georgia, Ranny, and Barry made the long trip back to Ranny’s home state of New York. They settled in Fort Salonga on Long Island where they raised three daughters. Sadly, Barry passed away in 1965.
Georgia and Ranny brought different ideas to the community of Fort Salonga, taking part in protests and marches for civil rights and sharing their passion for the arts, particularly the music of jazz. Georgia welcomed anyone interested in the music that was so important to the family into her home, and was the organizing force behind Ranny’s music teaching business (including many piano recitals) and the “Jazz in the Living Room” jam sessions that happened most Friday nights. When her daughters were of high school age Georgia began a part time job at the local Methodist church. She continued as a church secretary until she retired at the age of 62.
Georgia never pretended to be anything that she was not; she was truthful and without pretense. She loved to read, mostly novels with great characters and acceptable plots. Her most used sayings were “judge not least ye be judged” and “I think thou dost protest too much.” A lifelong liberal democrat, she accepted people on their own terms. Georgia was proud (but never boastful) of her daughters and their families. Visits and hugs from her grandchildren were her favorite things.
Georgia was preceded in death by Ranny and is survived by her daughters, Ann (Scott), Molly (Morrison) and Cathy (Schmitz) and five grandchildren: Nathanael, Nelson, Julia, Robyn, and Tomas.
No formal service will be held for Georgia during the pandemic. When the time is right, her remains will join those of Ranny and Barry in East Northport, New York.
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