Martha Belle Reid (nee Thomasson), 83 years of age, quietly slipped the bonds of earth for heaven on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

Born on the family farm in Hamptonville, North Carolina on October 14, 1933, Martha was the only daughter and last of twelve children born to Mary Belle Cash Thomasson and James Armstrong Thomasson.

Martha married Raymond Douglas Reid (deceased 2010) on June 9, 1951 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1954. After Doug retired, the couple settled in Welaka, Florida.

Martha is survived by four children: Katherine Plante (Michael), Douglas Clint Reid, Herbert Thomasson Reid (Sandra), and Dennis Lloyd Reid (Pam). She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and her ‘daughter-in-love’, Vickie Chambers Reid.

During many years she lived in Jacksonville, Martha was an active member of the Arlington Chapter #222 of the Order of the Eastern Star. After retirement, she was active in the Women’s Club of Welaka.

Martha was a kind soul who was ready to offer a kind word, hug or a helping hand when needed. She also had a mischievous sense of fun, as Women’s Club friends who ended up with raffle ticket stubs down their shirt collars after a hug from Martha can attest!

She was an unassuming person of uncommon bravery. Noticing a bank robbery in progress, she warned several people who were about to enter the building then followed the robbers from a distance in her car as they fled the scene. The police, sirens flashing, were on their way to the bank from the opposite direction but she managed to get their attention and describe the getaway car so they could turn around and pursue it. She testified at the trial at the risk of retribution. She believed in doing the right thing with a servant’s heart, following Jesus’ example. The family knows that Martha will be welcomed with the comforting words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Mom’s caregivers of the last several years: Rhonda, Jackie, Rene, Dawn, Rexanne, and Kelly. Because of their devoted care, along with that of Haven Hospice, Mom was able to live at home in Orange Park with Mike and Kathy. God granted her a peaceful passing.

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