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Nellie Mae Kirkpatrick Reiter graduated to her heavenly rewards on Wednesday, 24 April 2019, following a complicated open-heart surgery. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, David Howard Reiter, Sr., her parents, Nellie Mae (Jackson) and Talmage Stacy Kirkpatrick, her sister, Nancy Sue Kirkpatrick Parker and her brother, Carl Edward Kirkpatrick. Mae is survived by her children: Julie Mae Reiter of Jarrell, TX and David Howard Reiter, Jr. of San Antonio, TX. She is also survived by her sisters: Betty K. Ratliff (Huey) of Springhill, LA; Linda K. Heins (Bill) of Bossier City, LA; and Helen K. Tanner of Auburn, MA; brother-in-law: Tom Reiter of Leander, TX; sisters-in-law; Shannon L. Kirkpatrick and Grace Reiter. Mae is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews. Mae’s life journey started in Opelousas, Louisiana when her Daddy was working in the oil fields. But her parents moved the family back to Texas before she was four. She would be the only one of the family not born in Texas. That was something her other siblings never let her forget. The Kirkpatrick family was active in church. Mae made her public profession of faith at an early age at the First Baptist Church of Mission, Texas. When she was a teenager, the family was one of the organizing families to start Conway Avenue Baptist Church in Mission. Mae always had strong Christian ethics. She would be active in her local church throughout her life. She enjoyed showing the love of Jesus Christ to everyone. Mae’s faith was strong, knowing she had blessed assurance that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior. Mae’s schooling from first grade to high school graduation was in Mission, Texas while the family lived on Dunlap Street. Mae was part of the Mission Eagles graduation class of 1961. Following graduation, she went to work for McAllen General Hospital as a Nurses’ Assistant for two years. Then she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and worked for Spohn Hospital. In Corpus Christi she met the love of her life, David Howard Reiter. In a beautiful ceremony at Conway Avenue Baptist Church in Mission, on 26 February 1965, Mae and David were married. To this union was born two children: Julie Mae Reiter and David Howard Reiter, Jr. After her children were born, Mae’s primary job was her family. She loved being a stay-at-home mom. The young Reiter family lived in Corpus Christi for several years then located to Seguin, La Vernia, then followed by San Antonio, Texas. On December 28, 1991, in San Antonio, Texas, Mae’s love passed away at the young age of fifty-two. They had been married for 26 years. Mae and Dave enjoyed their life together. They were active with their family, friends, enjoyed vacations, church, bowling and just being together. When Mae’s mother, Nellie Kirkpatrick, needed additional help, she was asked to move to Houston to help with her care. Her answer, as usual was, “Let me pray about it.” She transferred with her job and moved to Houston in a matter of days. The unconditional love and attention she provided to her mother was noticed by everyone. While living in Houston, Mae was active at Second Baptist Church. She attended Bible Study with her Single Adult friends and was part of the group that did sewing for the church’s choir and school. Mae worked for Walmart in the photo lab, first in San Antonio and later she transferred to Houston to be with her mother. She retired from Walmart in 2011. Mae lived with her son and daughter in Houston. Later, she and her daughter would move to Jarrell, Texas. After moving to the Jarrell area, Mae was a member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas. She enjoyed the church and her Bible Study group. Mae was always a positive lady, with a smile for everyone. She loved to sew, bake and have family dinners, especially for holidays. She made the best turkey gravy for holiday dinner! She loved her extended family and friends. During the last few years, Mae’s heath has had many difficulties. Mae asked her doctors to make her better or she was prepared to go to the heavenly home that Jesus promised that He would prepare for her. She was always assured and believed the truth of John 14: 1-4: “Do not let your hearts be troubled You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.” Mae is now enjoying singing in the big choir, praising her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can only imagine the reunions taking place! As we celebrate her home-going we should remember the wonderful life she lived. She would want us to love each other and enjoy our lives to the fullest A memorial graveside service will be held at Mission Burial Park South Cemetery, 1700 SE Military Dr., San Antonio, TX, 78214 on Saturday, June 1st at 11:00 am.

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Nellie Mae Reiter

November 29, 1942 - April 24, 2019