Thelma Gornto Reel, 93, of Apopka passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Advent Health Hospital Hospice in Altamonte Springs following a brief illness.
Born at home in East Palatka in 1931, Thelma was a 1949 graduate of Putnam High School (Mellon High School). She was a military wife and lived in several countries and states and was a lifelong homemaker. After relocation to central Florida, she had been active for 50 years in the Powers Drive Baptist Church in Orlando, where she served as treasurer of her Sunday school class, was on the money counting team, and taught English as a second language. She was a gracious and compassionate lady who was known for her kindness and she was a wonderful wife and mother.
In her leisure time, she enjoyed making floral arrangements, crafts, shopping, and going to lunch with friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Julia Gornto; a sister, Louise McCombs; and a brother, Sidney Gornto.
Surviving are her husband of 73 years, Richard Reel; son, Rick Reel; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Terry Bishop; sister, Doris Nail; sister-in-law, Patty Varnes; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Masters Funeral Home in Palatka with Pastor Benny Reynolds officiating. Friends are invited to call after 10:30 a.m. – a half-hour before the start of the service. Burial will follow the service in Palatka Memorial Gardens.
Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105