Martha Reba Self

Martha Reba (Arnett) Self went home to her Lord and Savior on May 13, 2025, after a long fight with dementia. She was exactly one month shy of her 98th birthday. Even though her body was being attacked by that terrible disease, she still knew her friends, and loved ones.

Reba was born to Ruth and Grover Arnett on June 13, 1927. She was born at home in Bay, Georgia, (located in Colquitt County), in what was known as the East Room. In 1931, she was joined by a brother, Donald Cleveland, who was born in the West Room.

She graduated from Moultrie High School in 1944. She then attended Norman Park Junior College. After receiving her associates degree, she attended Georgia State Women's College (now known as Valdosta State University) in Valdosta, Georgia. She was hired as a schoolteacher for her first job in Ty-Ty Georgia.

In February of 1948, a girlfriend of Reba's talked her into going to Spence Field, (a unit of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, at that time) located out from Moultrie, Georgia. Little did she know that her future husband would see her walk in and say, “That's the girl I'm going to marry!” Henry Self married Reba Arnett on August 8, 1948 - just six months after their first meeting.

In addition to teaching for many years, Reba was also a dedicated frugal homemaker and mother of two daughters - Charlotte and Joy. She was an excellent cook and kept a tidy and clean house. The floor stayed waxed, the windows cleaned, and the furniture dusted.

She also took a lot of pride in her appearance. Her outfits were always put together and she made sure that she had a weekly appointment at the beauty shop.

Anyone that has met Reba knows her patient and sweet demeanor. She was loved and admired by many.

Since 1958, she and Henry were members of the First Baptist Church of Forsyth, GA. She taught her children about Jesus, and she was an example of how to live as a Godly woman. Reba enjoyed attending Georgia Farm Bureau's, University of Georgia Extension Service's and other dinner meetings with her husband. She also enjoyed traveling the United States with Henry while towing an Airstream trailer.

 Reba leaves behind her husband of 76 years, Henry J Self, that she adored. She would light up whenever he walked into the room. She is also survived by her daughters Charlotte, (Buddy) Bryan, and Joy (John) Ham. She leaves behind her only grandchild- Devereaux (Randi) Jarrett who named her "Mama Reba". She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Clyde) Hasty, and Margie (Gene)Hufstetler. Willie Self is her only surviving brother-in-law. She had a close and special relationship with all of them. She also leaves several nieces and nephews that were all loved by her.

Words cannot express what a void her passing has left, but we are thankful that she is resting with our Lord.

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel 86 West Main Street, Forsyth, Georgia has charge of the arrangements.