Bessie Geraldine Reid

She was born November 6, 1939 to the late Lester and Eleanor Watts Millsaps Sr.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Paul Millsaps, Gilbert Millsaps, Sr., and Thedward Millsaps. She was preceded in death by one sister Norma Millsaps. She was also preceded in death by sister in law Faye Redmon, and brother-in-laws Buford Reid and Andrew Reid.

Mrs. Bessie Geraldine Reid was a graduate of Happy Plains High School, Taylorsville. She made history as she was among the first group of women to be employed by N L Fasteners (Southern Screw) located in Statesville. After N L Fasteners, she was employed by Hoechst Celanese, Salisbury, North Carolina and worked there until her Retirement. Mrs. Bessie Geraldine Reid had many passions—of her many passions she was an excellent seamstress, phenomenal cook, cake decorator and interior designer. She enjoyed serving on the hospitality ministry at Zion Chapel where she served in the kitchen preparing special meals as well as using her beautiful decorating talents to ensure that Zion Chapel’s Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated for special events. She was a gifted and talented woman. She was kind, humble, loving and enjoyed caring for others; in particular, she was a devoted Caregiver to many, especially her late sister-in-law, Helen Millsaps and her late sister Norma Millsaps and her sister Connie Millsaps. She was God’s chosen Angel on Earth. Mrs. Bessie Geraldine Reid accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at an early age at Zion Chapel AME Zion Church. She was a life-long dedicated and faithful member of Zion Chapel AME Zion Church, Hiddenite, North Carolina.

Mrs. Bessie Geraldine Reid loved her family; she leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 60 years, Herman Reid who survives and resides in the home. She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter Regina (Fred) Pippen of Westerville, Ohio; one son Patrick (Cassandra) Reid of Kennesaw, Georgia. She leaves to cherish to her memory four grandchildren: Cameron Reid, Simone (Jason) Curette, Michael Murphy, Carina Reid and three great grandchildren: Jasmine Alanna Reid, Cameron Reid, Jr., Greyson Curette and bonus grandchildren and bonus great grandchildren. She leaves one sister to cherish her memory, Connie E. Millsaps of Stony Point, North Carolina and one brother to cherish her memory, Lester (Edith) Millsaps, Jr. of Stone Mountain, Georgia. She is also survived by sister-in-laws, Coetta McCleese of Orlando, Florida; Mary Millsaps of Detroit, Michigan; Dorothy Reid, Sarah Reid; and one brother-in-law, Harry (Valetha) Reid of Statesville, North Carolina. She leaves to cherish her memory, one goddaughter, Toni Morrison of Statesville, North Carolina and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends including her beloved beautician Mrs. Jewel Flowers.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 1:00 PM at Zion Chapel AME Zion Church in Hiddenite on Monday, March 21, 2022. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 1:00 PM in the Church Sanctuary. Interment will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Reid and her family.

Condolences may be sent online to the family at http://www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.