Carrie Ryan Reece, 93, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 surrounded by caring family and friends.
Mom was born on January 5, 1928 in Farmville, VA to the late Laurence G. Anderson and Valeria Edwards Anderson.
She was one of 13 children (3 boys, 10 girls) raised on the Anderson farm in Charlotte county.  Mom was predeceased by her parents, her three brothers (L.G., Frank, and Henry), her sisters (Mary Hughes, Ruby Anderson, Donna Stafford, Fannie Price, Valeria “Bug” Howard), husbands, Hugh B. Ryan, Sr and, after Hugh’s death, William A. Reece, her son Hugh B. Ryan, Jr. and daughter Kathleen Sweeley, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mom is survived by her sisters Irma Thompson (Earley), Nina Layne, Zenora Daubenspeck, and Jane Holt, and by her children:  Gaylon Ryan, Mary D. Prosser (Barry), Michael Ryan (Vicki), Carrie Powell, John Ryan (Sarah) and Lori McKay (Jim), stepchildren William Reece (Vicki) and Kathy Burke (Charlie), and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mom was blessed with 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren (with #23 on the way) and special friends Vernon and Shirley Cartwright, Shirley Mederios, Corbie Eckel (Bobby) and Kilja Copeland.

Mom was a hard worker her entire life. As a military wife, she followed our father’s Army career through stops in Georgia, Japan, Maryland and Virginia, while raising eight children, often by herself when he was off on another assignment.  She enjoyed sewing, reading, playing dominoes, listening to music and attending music festivals (particularly the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention).

In Mom’s last years, she was welcomed into the home of Irma and Earley Thompson where she was loved and comforted by the entire family.  The last few months, Mom enjoyed being in the VA Beach home of her daughter Carrie.  The family wants to express its gratitude to everyone who made Mom feel welcomed and loved.
She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was sustained by her faith and her love for family and friends.
Due to the COVID protocols, a graveside service at Hampton Memorial Gardens, officiated by former Bishop John Gibbons, will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 2 p.m  Facial masks and social distancing will be required. Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601, is providing services.