Obituary of Reatha Bell Gilyard

After a brief illness, Reatha Bell Gilyard peacefully departed this life Thursday, April 23, 2020. Born June 20, 1937 in Summerton, SC, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Rena Gilyard. She attended Scott’s Branch public Schools in Summerton, SC, before moving to Long Island, New York where she resided until her departure. Reatha was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She worked very hard to ensure her family was well taken care of, often working two jobs to make sure her children had the best. She had a strong sense of faith in God and most recently, when her health allowed, attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Westbury, New York where Jesse Lyons, Jr. is the pastor. To know Reatha was to love her. She was known for her quick whit and was full of smiles and laughter. She was a deep lover of music particulary gospel and rhythm and blues of the 50's and 60's. Reatha leaves to cherish her memory: her children; Lula Catherine Culbreath of Cummings, GA, Tanya Crummell of Dover, DE, Amy Gilyard-Neal of Massapequa, NY, Patrick Gilyard (Gladys) of Roosevelt, NY, and Adam Gilyard o f Rosedale, NY; her sister Pastor Carolyn Robinson (Hawley), her brother Jerry Gilyard (Mary), her grandchildren; Demetrius Culbreath (Sandra), Christopher Culbreath, Thomasina Culbreath, Robert Jason Neal, Tyrone Crummell, Courtney Elise Garrick-Neal (Daiquan), Patrick Rashawn Gilyard, Lynique Crummell, Durrell Bradley, and Christen Bradley, her great grandchildren; Lanasia Diamond Turner-Culbreath, DeAndre Lester, Syncere Thomas, Zyonne Crummell, Essence Rice, Guiliana Daniella Garrick , Calli-Reign Gilyard, Violet Culbreath, Lynasia Crummell, Zacharih and Zephaniah Bradley. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Leslie Carol Gilyard, five; brothers, George Allen Gilyard, James Gilyard, Kenneth Gilyard, Peter Gilyard, Franklin Gilyard, five sisters, Geneva Gilyard, Helen Graham, Etta Fulton, Joanne Gilyard, and Cynthia Gilyard. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to cherish her memories.