- Date Of Birth: October 1, 1932
- Date Of Death: January 22, 2017
- State: Florida
M. Juanita Ward Reiber (October 1, 1932 – January 22, 2017) (Nita Reiber)
Predeceased by her siblings: Vera White; Glendora Thomas; Dorothy Bock; Marsden Ward, Jr; Predeceased by her husband: Kenneth E. Reiber, Sr; Predeceased by her son: Keith Wesley Reiber; Loving Mother of: Kurt L. Reiber; Kent W. Reiber; Kenneth E. Reiber, Jr; Loving Grandmother of: Kristofer Reiber, Kali Scheben (Reiber), Kraig Reiber; Holly Reiber, Kent Reiber Jr., Jared Reiber; Loving Great-Grandmother of: Lily Scheben, Ava Reiber
Nita was born in Wilmington, NC and grew up in Atlanta, GA. She was the youngest of five children that were born to Marsden S. Ward, Sr. and Minnie Outlaw. She was raised in the Southern Christian Home, which was an orphanage in Atlanta, GA on Peachtree Street, which is now the site of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Growing up in Atlanta, Nita was like any other little girl. She enjoyed dressing up and enjoyed reading.
Nita attended Midway College where she received her BA in Nursing. Nita was a very good student and upon graduation, she immediately went to work in the field of nursing and even after she left nursing, she was always the “go to” person in the Reiber Family for any bump, bruise, break or ailment.
Nita met Ken while he was in the Army stationed at Fort Bragg. Ken was on R&R and Nita and some of her nursing friends “went to town” to dance. Nita and Ken shared a dance, and while she never said it was “Love at first sight”, she did say that they had an immediate connection.
Nita and Ken were married on December 21, 1954, and they moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they would begin to start a family. Nita and Ken were blessed with four boys: Keith Wesley Reiber, Kurt Louis Reiber, Kent Wade Reiber and Kenneth Eugene Reiber, Jr.
Nita’s true love was crafts! She was an exceptional seamstress. Nita continued with her love of reading and you could always find her with a book in her bag. Nita and Ken finally found a lovely home in Mulberry, FL where they would “winter” from the cold weather in Ohio. While living in Mulberry, Nita once again making crafts.
While Nita was a loving and caring mother for her four boys, her grandchildren: Kristofer, Kali, Kraig, Holly, Kent Jr. and Jared were truly the “Apples of her eye”! She spent countless hours caring for, nurturing and loving on her six grandchildren and they all have many special memories of their Grandma that will last them a lifetime! As you can see, the grandkids captured Nita’s heart but not nearly as much as her two Great-Granddaughters, Lily and Ava!!! Nita was able to see Lily and Ava often via FaceTime and on special times when Nita was able to travel and celebrate Lily’s and Ava’s first birthdays!!! On Christmas Eve Nita was given another special gift when she was told that her granddaughter, Kali, was expecting her second child and Nita would be blessed with her THIRD Great-Grandchild!!!
Nita’s lasting legacy will be the love that she shared so freely with others, her caring and compassion that she showed to her family and friends, her love for creating things and her faith! Nita would always say to us, “Let go and Let God”! Mom, you will live on in your boys, your grandkids, your great-grandkids and the many family and friends that your life touched. We are happy that you are once again reunited with the “Love of Your Life”, Ken, and your first-born, Keith, who were there to welcome you into God’s arms when you came home. Let go and Let God!
