Mrs. Billie Jean Reid, 92, of Jayess, Mississippi, passed away on February 26, 2025, at Mississippi Care Center in Raleigh, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held at Powells Grove Pentecostal Church (Jayess) on Saturday evening, March 1, from 6:00 until 9:00; with funeral services at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, March 2; graveside services will follow in the church cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

She was born to Homer H. and Corean Creel Carney on March 19, 1932, in Jayess. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Henry Ford Reid; they were married for 59 years. In the early 60s, they moved to Houma, LA where they lived for 12 years; while there Henry worked in the oil industry and their family attended the First United Pentecostal Church of Houma. It was there that Sister Billie developed a passion for children's Sunday School ministry. After returning home to Jayess, she dedicated herself to the work of the church at Powells Grove and was instrumental in introducing the Center of Interest Sunday School program there. During that time the church's Sunday School attendance grew to the largest in the church's history. She was a prayer warrior, faithful altar worker, and leader in worship.

She loved her family and her home; she was a gifted homemaker and a wonderful cook. She enjoyed floral arranging – and for a time was the owner and operator of The Flower Nook in Monticello – and painting. She will be dearly missed by all her family and those who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her ten siblings; her husband; and their son, Steven Ford Reid, as well as many special nieces and nephews, whom she loved like brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her children, Deborah Garner (Jeffery), Richard Reid (Lisa), Ivan Reid (Machell), and Lisa Beard (Terry); a daughter-in-law, Pat Boyd (Ronnie); grandchildren, Nelwyn Alexander (Phillip), Stephanie Ritchey (Kevin), Lynette Whittington (Amos), Jeff Garner, Jr., Deanna Garner, Deryn Garner (Melanie), LaBreeska Durkes (Stevie), Wendy Thornton (Champ), Dallas Reid (Libby), Derrick Battle (Laura), Darryl Reid, Ashley McElhaney, Steven Reid, Daniel Reid, Calin Beard (Kelli), Karis Jones (Will); 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The rest of the family would like to express their gratitude to Nelwyn for stepping up in her daddy's stead and providing devoted care for Granny. They would also like to extend a special thanks to Lacey Bennett and her team of sitters, Deaconess Hospice of Brookhaven, Gentiva Hospice of Raleigh, and the staff of MS Care Center of Raleigh.