Mar 27, 2008

Reba D. Sellers, 77, entered her heavenly rest March 19, 2008, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Feb. 19, 1931, in Ava, to Leroy and Bessie Mae (Privett) Rhynes. On Sept. 30, 1950, she was joined in marriage to Nelson Sellers in Ava, and they were blessed with four children. After their marriage they moved to Moline, Ill., and later to Hudson, Iowa where they would work and raise their family. They returned to Ava 13 years ago. Reba's mother died when she was a young child and her grandmother instilled values in her life that would serve her well as she worked hard to raise her family. She learned to cook meals that would not only feed four hungry boys but also enable her to be a cook at school later. A 'big country' Saturday morning breakfast is a special memory for her family. She loved to help people and was always ready to encourage diabetics with tasty, sugar-free dishes. Her dedication to her church was shown by her willingness to serve in the kitchen for church events as well as her singing in the choir. She was always involved in church activities, most recently at the Ava General Baptist Church. Reba was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, one brother, Oden Rhynes and one sister, Goldie Willis. Reba is survived by her devoted husband, Nelson; sons, Rodney Sellers, Timothy C. Sellers, Thomas A. Sellers, and Scott K. Sellers and wife, Pamela; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles R. Rhynes, and one sister, Katherine Coats, also survive. Her sweet, kind spirit will be missed by a host of other relatives and friends. A visitation was held at Ava Family Funeral Home on Sunday, March 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 24, at 10 a.m., in the Ava General Baptist Church with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. Burial followed at the Springcreek Cemetery.