Jessie L. Reeder

Jessie LaRuth (nee Holley) Reeder
Daughter of Major Q. Holley and Ethel Lee (nee Jones) Holley, was born on March 26, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan. She departed this life on January 1, 2025, at the age of 89, in Oberlin, OH.

Jessie accepted the Lord at the age of seven, led by her mother, Ethel Holley. She attended Berean Bible Chapel in Ferndale, Michigan. At age thirteen, she served as a musician for Calvary Baptist Church in Detroit. Jessie graduated from Detroit Bible College in 1956, where she expressed her love for Christ.

Throughout her life, Jessie served as a church musician, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and camp counselor at Circle Y Ranch Bible Camp. She was also an adult leader for the United Youth Conference. As a founding board member of the United Conference for Women in Detroit, MI, and Oberlin, she was also the Coordinator of the Annual OUCW Prayer Breakfast.

Jessie was the choir director and pianist at Rust United Methodist Church, and a teacher for the Sparrows Bible study group. She also served as a board member for several community organizations: Allen Memorial Hospital, Oberlin; Lorain County Arts Council; Oberlin City Library Trustee; and chair of the Implementation Committee for the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center.

Jessie’s education spanned multiple institutions: Detroit Public Schools (Higginbotham, Post Intermediate, Cass Technical High School - Music Major), Detroit Bible College (Christian Music Education), Kent State University, and Baldwin-Wallace College, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education (Vocal) and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.

She was united in marriage to Ray O. Reeder on September 8, 1956. To this union, a son, Terry David Reeder (deceased in 1998), and a daughter, Leah Holley Reeder of Fort Wayne, IN, were born. Jessie is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Diane P. Reeder of Southfield, MI, and grandchildren: David J. Reeder (Detroit, MI), Alexandra D. Reeder-Lacey (husband Jason, Bryan, TX), and Angela Anderson (Detroit, MI). Her great-grandchildren include Gabrielle Reeder, Kennedy Lacey, London Lacey, Riley Anderson, and Camellia Reeder.

Preceding Jessie in death were:

Her parents: Major Q. Holley and Ethel Lee (nee Jones) Holley
Husband: Ray O. Reeder
Son: Terry D. Reeder
Brothers: Major Q. Holley Jr., Harold P. Holley, and Oscar J. Holley
Sisters: Mary F. Burns, Thelma E. Mason, Sophia L. Holley Ellis, and Ethel Bray
Grandparents: Sophia D. Smith
She is survived by her loving family, including:

Siblings: Ethel Bray (Columbus, OH), Sophia L. Ellis (Detroit, MI), Oscar and Peggy Holley (Detroit, MI), Mary F. Burns (Charlotte, NC), Melvin and Verna Holley (Lansing, MI), Herbert and Thelma Mason (Detroit, MI)
Special Friends: Ivra and Bill Jackson, Emma and Delbert Mason, Harriett A. Thomas, Jacqueline Hopkins, Robin Hoover-Shafer, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.
Order of Service
Processional
It Is Well with My Soul – Horatio Spafford & Philip Bliss

Opening Hymn
Jesus Paid It All – Elvina Mable Hall

Prayer
Rev. Omari Parker

Scripture Readings

Old Testament: Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)
New Testament: John 3:16-17 (TLB)
Musical Selection
Ain’t That Good News – William Dawson

Acknowledgements
Diane P. Reeder

Obituary
In Silent Meditation

Musical Selection
Only One Life to Offer – Merrill Dunlop
(Cello: Dr. Timothy Holley)

Reflections
Two-Minute Family and Friends

Eulogy
Rev. Monique Greenfield

Benediction
Dr. Delbert Mason

Recessional
When We All Get to Heaven – Eliza E. Hewitt

Committal and Interment
Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin, OH

Scripture Passages
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (CSB)
"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command... and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NCW)
"My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown for being right with God."

Pallbearers
David J. Reeder
Mark J. Holley
Timothy W. Holley
Jason F. Laws
Joshua A. Laws
Aaron M. Sadler
Flowers
Nieces and Friends

Acknowledgment
The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. We are deeply comforted by the presence of family and friends as we trust in God’s grace and His promise of eternal life. Your kindness has been a source of strength, and we are forever thankful for your thoughtfulness and compassion. May God’s peace be with you all.

Funeral Details
Funeral Services
January 9, 2025
First United Methodist Church
45 S. Professor St., Oberlin, OH

Visitation
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Services
12:00 p.m.

Interment
Westwood Cemetery, 455 Morgan St., Oberlin, OH

Services Entrusted To:
Cowling Funeral Home
228 South Main Street
Oberlin, Ohio 44074

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