Florence K. Reakes
Born on June 14, 1955 in Louisville, KentuckyPassed on June 3, 2026 in Palm Bay, Florida
Kathy Reakes Obituary –
Florence Katherine “Kathy” Reakes
June 14, 1955 – June 3, 2026
Florence Katherine “Kathy” Reakes, 70, passed away on June 3, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of tenacious local journalism and deep devotion to family.
Born Florence Katherine Moyer in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 14, 1955, Kathy was still a youngster when her family moved to Brevard County, Florida — the community that would become central to both her newspaper career and her personal life. It was there that she met and married her beloved husband, Mark Reakes, in 1978.
While Kathy relished her role as a reporter — writing tens of thousands of news stories over the course of her long career — her most cherished times were spent as a young mother. She and her son Gary would play for hours on Indialantic Beach, joined by a close-knit circle of cousins and a gaggle of girlfriends with their own children in tow.
As part of a large family deeply rooted in Brevard County, she loved spending time with her three sisters: Karen, Kim and Kelly. Together, they shared a close bond, frequently enjoying days out shopping and sampling local restaurants. She also cherished time spent with her brother, Keith, and his family during holidays and vacations.
From an early age, Kathy loved reading and writing — passions that naturally led her to becoming a storyteller herself. Her career in journalism began when she landed a job as a news clerk at Florida Today in Melbourne, FL. Determined and driven by nature, she worked her way up to full-time reporting. She went on to spend over 40 years in the news business, writing for Florida Today, Hometown News, Space Coast Daily, and most recently, the Daily Voice in the New York metropolitan area.
She was remarkably versatile, writing engaging features, in-depth community profiles, and even local restaurant reviews. Yet her absolute favorite beat was breaking news. Armed with a police scanner, Kathy was known for staying ahead of the story and getting firsthand accounts from witnesses on the scene.
She knew many police officers and fire officials in Brevard County by name. When hurricanes struck the Florida coast, she went on ride-alongs with police and sheriff’s deputies, assessing damage alongside officials so she could deliver readers immediate, accurate accounts of what was unfolding in their neighborhoods.
Yet for all her dedication to the news, Kathy’s true happiness always rested firmly with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt who took special joy in her role as grandmother. She adored her two grandchildren, Callie and Grant, who live in Ponte Vedra Florida, and never let distance diminish their bond — regularly spending hours on FaceTime sharing laughs and catching up with her little ones.
Kathy is survived by her devoted husband, Mark Reakes; her son, Gary Reakes, and his wife, Colleen; and her precious grandchildren, Callie and Grant. She is also survived by her three sisters and brother along with their families; Karen and Dewey Garrison, Kim and Steve Maidhof, Kelly and Kenny Young, & Keith and Marilyn Moyer; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Billye and Joseph Moyer.
In leu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in her name.
