Reba A. Showers

Reba M. Showers, 91, peacefully departed this life and entered the Kingdom of Heaven on September 8, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith and the boundless love she had for her family, friends, and the Rio Grande Valley. Reba’s life was a testament to that love. With her passing, the world has lost a woman of extraordinary altruism. Her compassion and generosity were a constant force for good in her community and in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was born in Arkansas and moved to Texas as a young child. She graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, where she served as Vice President of her senior class, was voted Class Favorite and Cotton Pageant Duchess, and performed in various plays with the theater program. She went on to study at Sam Houston State University and graduated with a degree in education. Reba began working for the Registrar at Texas A&M University where she met the love of her life, Wayne A. Showers, while he was pursuing a master’s degree. The couple married, moved to McAllen, and entered into teaching and the agriculture business. Reba taught developmental reading at Mission High School until their lives were blessed with two daughters, later resuming teaching for five years until she decided to pursue full-time philanthropic efforts for her community, serving various charitable and service organizations. As an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, she served on many committees and was a highly regarded teacher of Sunday School classes. She belonged to a number of Bible studies over the years, where she enjoyed fellowship and fostered countless lifelong friendships. Reba’s commitment to living a life guided by God’s Word was evident in the way she selflessly served others. Faith and family always came first. She was a member and Golden Girl of P.E.O. Chapter F, and was a member and Sustainer of the Junior League of McAllen for over 60 years. She served on many boards, including several terms for the Board of the Museum of South Texas History, the McAllen Library Board, the Keep McAllen Beautiful Board, the McAllen Civic Center Board, the Valley Symphony Orchestra Board, and the Girl Scouts Board of Greater South Texas. She served on the Gladys Porter Zoo Board for 11 years. She was President of the McAllen Reviewer’s Guild, President of the Hidalgo County Cotillion Board, and President of the McAllen Slipper Club. She also served as President of the American Heart Association, McAllen Chapter, where she received the “Heart of Gold” award. Reba was a member of the McAllen Book Club and The 20th Century Book Club of McAllen. She also belonged to two bridge groups, creating wonderful memories with her countless friends. Her exuberant zest for life and servant leadership inspired all those who knew her. She was a dedicated gardener and enjoyed sharing her caladiums, impatiens, petunias, roses, and countless other flora and gardening knowledge with others. Reba was most at peace admiring God's creation alongside her family and friends, especially those spectacular South Texas sunsets. Reba’s service to her family, friends, and the Rio Grande Valley community was a living testament to her strong belief and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She lived out the Truth that because He loves us, we should share His love and spread His light. Her beauty, grace, and elegance were absolutely resplendent. Her brilliant smile left an indelible warmth in every room she entered. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Thomas, her sister Jo, and her loving husband of 46 years, Wayne A. Showers. She is survived by two daughters, Gay Hargis (Dr. Sam E.) and Brenda Buell (Christopher R.), four grandchildren, Mary Kathryn Heinz (Matthew C.), Claire Carpenter (Cole D.), Eliza Buell, and Christopher R. Buell, Jr., and her adoring nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Reba's family will forever cherish the warmth of her unconditional love, the wisdom she so generously shared, and her impeccable sense of style that brightened every moment. Her family would like to express their deepest appreciation to her devoted caregivers for their unwavering love and kindness over the years: Blandina Jiménez, Berta Balderas, Rafaela Barboza, Juan Saucedo, Magdalena Cervantes, Alicia Donia, Nathan Garcia, Susana Huerta, Mary Mares, Maria Mercado, Edith Price, and Romeo Valladares. We are eternally grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with utmost gratitude that memorial contributions in Reba’s honor be made to Covenant Christian Academy, the Buckner Rio Grande Children’s Home, Calvary Baptist Church, the Valley Symphony Orchestra, or the charity of your choice. A service to celebrate and honor Reba’s life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1600 Harvey, McAllen, Texas, with burial following at Roselawn Cemetery. Kreidler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of the funeral arrangements. kreidlerfuneralhome.com

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Reba A. Showers

September 8, 2024