Greta "Bebe" Reams Denham

Greta Beatrice “Bebe” Green Reams Denham, age 94, long-time resident of Middlesboro, Kentucky, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, June 21, 2024, at her home in Franklin, Tennessee. She was born the youngest of five children to Claud Hal and Beatrice Viola Green in Jasper, Tennessee, on March 25, 1930. 

After graduating from high school in Scottsboro, Alabama, Bebe moved to Middlesboro where she completed a course in secretarial skills. She then worked seven years for the City Clerk until accepting a position as the secretary for the administrator at the newly opened Appalachian Regional Hospital. While living in Middlesboro, she met and eventually married business owner and banker, Jacob T. Reams. They married on August 10, 1959, and spent nearly twenty-seven years together before Jake’s untimely passing in 1986. During their time together they raised two loving children and were fixtures of the Middlesboro community. The family actively participated together in worship at the First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, where Bebe sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, led G.A.’s, served on various committees, and supported her children on mission trips and her husband as Deacon. She would remain connected to this church for the rest of her life. Bebe also served her community by participating in the Garden Club and volunteering at the hospital to serve coffee and doughnuts to the families of surgical patients. 

Upon marrying Jake, Bebe left her position at the hospital to take care of her family full time. Along with Jake, she supported her children in their activities and endeavors and never failed to show up to cheer them on. As her children became less dependent upon her, she took up golf and played regularly. Bebe also played competitive bridge throughout her adult life, filling the family home with the laughter of at least four tables of card-playing ladies every month. 

Despite losing Jake all too soon, Bebe continued to embrace life to the fullest. She took over as President of Reams Hardware Co., Inc., where she and her son worked together for seven years. She eventually met Middlesboro attorney Glenn W. Denham, following the tragic loss of his wife, Belle. After a few years of courtship they would marry on January 10, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia. Glenn and Bebe would enjoy ten years of happiness together before his passing in 2002. Bebe maintained close relationships with his four children, Rebecca, Suzanne, Steve, and Dave, throughout the remainder of her life.

Bebe later purchased a home in Franklin, Tennessee, across the street from her daughter. She also frequently traveled for extended periods of time to Atlanta, Georgia, to visit her son and his family. Although she would continue to maintain ties to Middlesboro through her church and friends, she created a full life in Franklin, regularly attending Harpeth Heights Baptist Church, meeting new friends, and playing in multiple bridge clubs. She even worked out regularly at the YMCA up to her ninetieth birthday.

Whether in Franklin or Atlanta, she always attended events involving her grandchildren and fully supported them in their activities. She remained active in the lives of her loved ones, keeping her good humor, strong mind, and extensive memory until the end of her life. Bebe was an amazing mother and grandmother and spent her life supporting and encouraging her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. 

Bebe was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, Leslie Wilson Green, Thomas Wilson “TW” Green, Dorothy “Dot” Green, Halene G. Green, and husbands, Jake and Glenn. Left to cherish her memory and legacy are her daughter, Greta R. Bacon (Winston) and their children, Wesley Elizabeth, Jake, and Zach; her son, Stephen M. Reams (Jill) and their children Sarah, Jake, and Abigail. Bebe will also be missed by many friends as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews. One extra-special niece, Jane Hall, loved and cared for Bebe in an extraordinary manner. The family offers special thanks to her three in-home caregivers for the past two years – Nancy Copeland, Peggy Walton, and Carol Patterson, along with special friend and helper Emandreia Cobb.

The family will hold visitation on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, KY. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon with Reverend Zach Bay presiding. Graveside services at Green Hills Memorial Gardens will follow. Bebe’s grandchildren and her son-in-law, Winston will serve as pallbearers. Special friends James Kyle Lynch and Barry Wesley Bacon will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family invites those inclined to make donations in honor of Bebe to consider making them to First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, KY.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Greta "Bebe" Reams Denham are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.