Jimmie Lou Reid

Jimmie Lou was born on August 28, 1926, in Sedan, Kansas. Her parents were Ora and Alice McCann (Baker). She grew up surrounded by oil fields, farmland, and a large extended family. Growing up, one of the greatest influences on her life was her “cussin’ Uncle” Vergil Baker and his wife, her Aunt Madelyn a member of the Osage nation. She learned many of her creative fiber skills and artistic expression from Aunt Madelyn, “make the back of your needlepoint as beautiful as on the front”.

At the age of 18 Jimmie Lou attended the St Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing program in Winfield Kansas as a Nurse Cadet. It was while attending school in 1945 that she met a handsome pilot and 2nd Lt from the Army Air Corp Donald Reid. They were introduced on a blind date at a park called Observatory Hill. After a short courtship, they married on August 9, 1945, in Clovis, New Mexico while he was stationed at Ft. Sumner. One of the many stories Jimmie Lou loved to retell of her past was the story about how her new groom purchased her a 25-caliber revolver for her to carry while traveling on the train cross country to Washington D. C. One night an inebriated naval serviceman attempted climbing into her sleeping berth “for a visit”. What he was met with was the snub nose of her revolver. To the astonished wide-eyed nocturnal interloper, she stated “It’s loaded and I know how to use it”.

Life with Jimmie Lou and Donald was an ongoing adventure of traveling as Donald built on his experience of flying and pursuing higher education after the war. Eventually, the trail led them both to Charlottesville, Virginia where they made their home and raised their family. In Charlottesville, Donald began his tenure as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia. By this time, they had added 2 children to their family Jo Ann, and Donald Lee Jr.

Life in Charlottesville found Jimmie Lou in her element socially she never met a stranger. She became a member of Maple Grove Church. During Covid she hosted a small group in her home for Sunday school She was still active with her until her death. Her small group of lady friends has become named “ the church ladies” Barbara Leake, and Brenda McDaniel and were a force to not “mess with”. Sunday lessons were led by Harold Woodward. She loved to sing and continued participating in opportunities to sing in nursing homes and on Thursday nights at 20:20. Her friend Roger Browning who had been the former Pastor of Maple Grove continued to be her spiritual leader and guide.

In Forrest Lake, where Jimmie lived, she was a beloved member of neighboring families. To the four-legged pets of the neighborhood, she was “the dog whisperer”. Any time dogs were out for their walks, they made their way to Gramma’s door for their treat. She knew them all by name and would talk to them individually. Her small friends hang on every word and obey her every command. She’d tell visitors “This is Cobbie, she lives next door and Molly taught her how to do her business outside.” Or “That’s Theo he is Sarah’s dog” or “Look here come the two babies from up the hill Rosie, and Pushkin. She would giggle as the two miniature shih tzu would stumble on each other and roll down the hill. Then came Ruby to cuddle with Gramma. It will be a very long time before her canine friends can walk by without looking for their patron saint.

She adopted all the children on her cul de sac. They were told to call her “gramma”. Her closest neighbors Sarah, Maggie, Abby, and Chris embraced this relationship as they did not have any grandparents who lived close by. Gramma attended all of their graduations, and sporting events and was always available for a chat and visit.

A lady with an outgoing loving attitude if you didn’t remember her by her laugh and her stories you would certainly remember her by her hats. The woman could wear a hat. Purple was her favorite color. She wore quite a few figurative hats as well. She was a Scout leader, and youth leader, taught Sunday school, Headed and ran many of the church fundraisers, wife, homemaker, seamstress, accountant, gardener, farmer…the list goes on. Her rallying cry was often “Let’s get this show on the road”. She took courses on navigation so she could co-pilot with Donald when they lived on a sailboat to travel the intercoastal waterways from Colonial Beach to Miami. An avid knitter she knitted hundreds of Christmas stockings over the years. She was also a medal-winning competitor in senior athletic events.

She was a creature of habit. She ate only at Michael’s Diner and was a known fixture there. Her chapeau-covered head was seen everywhere in town from the Wells Fargo bank. Her absence will be felt for a very long time. To know Jimmie was to love her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lee Reid Sr, in 2006. Jimmie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Reid of Nashville TN, and Son Donald L Reid JR of Wintergreen VA: and her grandchildren Andrew Luffman (Paula), Christopher Luffman (Amanda), Kimberly Mouser (Ryan), Laura Krupnick (Josh), Heather Hauskins (Brad), and Donald Reid III; as well as 12 great-grandchildren; her sister Oralee McCann Cowan with her two sons; John Gillian (Leslie) Mike Gillian (Lisa) .

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA 22903

A Memorial "Celebration of Life" will be held on December 9, 2023, 10am ~ 1pm. Refreshments will be served. Friends are free to tell their tales and share "Jimmie Lou" stories. Pastor Roger Browning will give a word of prayer.