Isabella Reaney

Isabella Emily Thomasa "Isabel" Reaney ( Edis; 15 July 1847 – 19 June 1929) was a British preacher, social activist and editor.

Life Reaney was the daughter of Emma and Robert Edis. She was born in Huntingdon on 15 July 1847. One of her brothers was the architect Robert William Edis. Her elder brother was Arthur Wellesley Edis who was a gynaecologist and her niece through Arthur was the photographer Olive Edis.

Reaney seems to have led a model Christian childhood. She visited the old and poor and men and women would gather at her house on a Sunday afternoon to listen to her. Her parents were concerned that she was overreaching herself and the local Bishop took an interest. He was said to have given his blessing to her work after hearing of her determination.

She married another preacher the Reverend George Sale Reaney, of Wycliffe Chapel in Warrington on 4 March 1873. He was a Congregational minister. Every Sunday she would preach at the local hall in Warrington. In 1876 her husband became ill and the two then spent six years in Reading before moving to Stepney where George took over the meeting house. She continued to work for the poor and she would take over her husband's preaching when he was ill. Reaney worked with her. Sunshine Jenny, and other stories (1878) Just anyone, or Kitty's dream, and other stories (1879) English Girls: Their Place and Power (1879) Rose Gurney's Discovery (1880) Our Brothers and Sons (1882) Our Daughters Chippings (1883) Unspoken Addresses (1883) Little Glory's Mission (1883) Found at Last (1883) Not alone in the World (1883)