Mareida Elizabeth Rector Kingsbery

Mareida “Reida” Elizabeth Rector Kingsbery passed away July 17, 2020. She was 99 ½ years old.

Mareida was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harry Nix Kingsbery in 2007; her sister Virginia Thompson and brother James Wallace Rector.

She is survived by her children: Harry Greenwood (Norma) Kingsbery of Manassas, VA., David Rector (Danyse) Kingsbery of Charlotte, NC., Bonnie Joyce (Bruce) Gaynair of Lakeland, FL. 5 grandchildren:  Stefanie (John) Ragano, Meredith (Lance) Johnson, Katharine (Todd) Henderson, Rev. Sarah Kingsbery, Joshua (Kelly) Fain and 10 great-grandchildren: Nicklaus & Madelyn Ragano,  Stuart Johnson, Sophia, Emily and Olivia Henderson, Jackson, Katherine, Lucas and William Fain.

Mareida was born December 15, 1920 to Virgil James “VJ” and Minnie Jones Rector in Spartanburg, SC. She graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC after which she worked for TVA and Solvay Chemicals until she married Harry Kingsbery  on May 25, 1952 and moved to Miami, FL. Mareida and Harry lived in Miami, Fl raising their 3 children.  Mareida and Harry moved to Winter Haven, FL in 1986 where they lived until Harry’s death. Mareida remained in Winter Haven until 2015 when she moved to Lake Morton Plaza in Lakeland, FL.

Mareida was active in her church throughout her life: St. John’s Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC), First Christian Church (DOC) in Miami and Winter Haven. She sang in the choir, served as a Deacon and Elder and always on committees, especially Worship, Music and Christian Education. At First Christian Church in Miami she also led the Junior Choir.

Mareida participated with the Audubon Society in Florida going on many birding trips. She particularly enjoyed Corkscrew Swamp National Refuge.

Toward the end of her life the staff at Morton Plaza frequently commented on how much they enjoyed Mareida. She frequently smiled and appreciated what they did for her. This was characteristic of her whole life.

Funeral arrangements are being made through Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens with internment at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell with Harry.

Memorial services are not currently scheduled. Please go to https://www.lakelandfuneralhome.com/tributes/Mareida-Kingsbery to leave a tribute to the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christmount Camp and Conference Center at 222 Fern Way, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or on their website, https://www.christmount.org/.

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