Leona "Ruth" Reed

Leona “Ruth” Reed entered into eternity with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the age of 83. She was a native of Hammond, LA and a longtime resident of St. Bernard parish before settling in Denham Springs with her husband after Hurricane Katrina. She will be remembered as a loving wife, a doting mother, a kind-hearted grandmother, a sister, aunt, and cherished friend.

Ruth had a fairly simple life - nothing the world would count as extraordinary, but it was marked by faithfulness to God and love for her family. She had a kind and caring heart. She was hospitable and loved to share stories with family and friends.

She was married to her one and only love, Hilton, for 65 years. They were rarely apart. When you saw one of them you typically saw the other. They have three children and five grandchildren who affectionately knew her as Nonny.

She was a faithful member of Plainview Baptist Church in Denham Springs, LA. Prior to moving to Denham Springs, she and Hilton lived in St. Bernard where they were faithful members of Poydras Baptist Church and then St. Bernard Baptist Church. She loved to serve the church and fellowship with other believers.

Ruth was a wonderful cook – her specialties being her chicken and sausage gumbo and crawfish etouffee. Having learned to cook from her mother-in-law, Mommo Reed, she loved cooking for her family, church, and friends. There was always plenty of food on her table. She also loved her flowers and her garden.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Hilton J. Reed, Sr.; son, Hilton J. “Joe” Reed, Jr. (Barb); daughter, Jennifer “Jennie” Reed Heneghan (Jody); son, Jon Reed (Suzanne); grandchildren, Lauryn Heneghan, Hannah Heneghan, Bethany Heneghan, Faith Heneghan and Alexa Reed; her sisters, Nancy Castello, Sarah Pernice, Dorothy Labat (Roy), Linda Bailey, Brenda Jones (Bruce), Karen Heath (Michael), and Carol Hoover Rogers; her brothers, Leroy Kinchen and Leonard “Lenny” Nicholas; and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dempsey Kinchen; her mother, Doris Hoover Nicholas; and her brothers, Jerry Kinchen, Joey Kinchen, Derald Kinchen, and Percy Vicknair.

The family of Ruth would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the ICU staff at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for the care given to her and their family and to Plainview Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Gretna, and First Baptist Church of New Orleans for their ministry.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation that will be held at First Baptist Church of Gretna, 100 Gretna Blvd., Gretna, LA, on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 9:00-11:00 am. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. A private interment will follow at St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.