Beverly J.C. Reed

Beverly Jeanne Chavis [Williams] {Didlick}. Reed transitioned on June 22, 2013 at the age of 80. She was born to Clarence S. Chavis and Theodosia J. Payne on July 9, 1932 in Columbus, OH but grew up knowing many different homes. While attending school in Pennsylvania she first discovered her love for libraries where she worked in her very own school library. She went to middle school in Cleveland, OH. Then when her mom remarried James C. Williams she moved to Oxford, OH where she attended Stewart High School for 10th through 12th and graduated in June of 1950. She married her 1st husband Wells S. Didlick on March 29, 1952, moved to Cincinnati, OH and they had 4 children: Wells S Didlick, Jr., James S. Didlick, Julie A. Didlick (Myles and Leah) and Gail J. Chavis (Jesse). She was a stay at home mom until Gail started school. She began attending Miami University in Middletown, OH after having her children. She graduated from Miami with an Associate of Art degree in Library Science. She was a librarian and first worked at Glendale school and then Princeton High School for 22 years. She was active in their activities like Boy Scouts (receiving the Order of the Heart Award), Girl Scouts, church camping, teaching Sunday school and was a band booster. She inspired others and became a Weight Watcher lecturer for 10 years. She married her 2nd husband Clarence H. Reed on June 18, 1988 and lived happily in Ithaca, New York, working at Lehman Alternative Community School for 7 years and retiring. They then traveled in their RV all across the country with each grandchild individually, and various groups. (NAARVA) The love birds took a bird watching course together. She was active in genealogy both with her family and in the archival history of several Presbyterian churches she attended. At the death of her husband and mother, Beverly moved to Groveport to be closer to her children. She was very active on the board at Calvin Presbyterian Church, then upon its closing became a member of St. Paul AME Church. She led exercise classes at Marian Franklin Senior Center, and set up the Underground Railroad library there as well. She worked extensively with Wayne National Forest and was instrumental in the restoration and rededication of the Pavne Cemetery which is near the site of her family's farm. She was awarded the Friends of Freedom Award in October, 2012. She is predeceased by her brother Clarence S. Chavis Jr., and children Wells S. Didlick Jr., Dierdre V. Dyson, and Henry P. Reed, and survived by her siblings Virgie A. Harris (Ray), Ron Chavis, Lisa Chavis, step-children Clarence Reed, Cecile Randolph (Johnnie), and Bertrand Reed (Peggy) and many loving family and friends. She asks that you, remember her fondly.