Bessie Lou Reid

Bessie Lou Reid suffered a stroke while celebrating Mother’s Day surrounded by her family and passed away peacefully two days later on May 11, 2010.

Bessie Lou was born the youngest of five children on March 15, 1921, to Arch and Bess Mae Scott in Topeka, Kansas. Her brother and three sisters have all preceded her in death; they were Lex Scott, Geraldine Spickerman, Virginia Fouts and Barbara Scott. As a teenager, she moved from the mid west with her family to Santa Monica, California, and except for 5 years in Fresno, Bessie Lou lived in Southern California for the rest of her life.

In 1938, she met George D. Reid, and four years later they were married in Santa Monica. For the next 56 years, until his death in 1999, she was by George’s side and gave him her unwavering love and support in all his endeavors . In 1986, she and George moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to their son, Scott, and his family.

Bessie Lou served on the Board of Community Arts Music Association (CAMA), was a long term member of the Alter Guild at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, and served as a docent at the Santa Barbara Historical Society. Together, she and George enjoyed traveling and birding. Bessie Lou had a passion for plants, flowers, and music and was an accomplished cook. She also was known as an expert bridge player.

Bessie Lou had many dear friends at the Eucalyptus Hill Circle townhomes where she and George lived for 13 years until his death. She continued to live there until 2009, when she moved to Valle Verde retirement community. This past year at Valle Verde was filled with new friends, new gardens, new bridge games and new experiences, all of which she enjoyed very much.

Bessie Lou will be lovingly remembered by those surviving: her son Scott F. Reid and his wife Jackie; three grandsons, Matthew L. Reid and his wife Joy, Seth M. Reid, and Sean H. Kerr, all residing in Santa Barbara. Her nieces and nephew who cared very deeply for her also survive her. They are: Susan Nesselrode, Alexis Scott, Katie Bruner and her husband Greg, Jeremy Fouts and his wife Joan. She gave so much to all of our lives and will be greatly missed.

A service will be held at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 83 Eucalyptus Lane in Montecito, Saturday May 22, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made on her behalf to CAMA.