OBITUARY

Name:   Barbara Lee (Gray) Reed

From:   The Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana
Date:   Sunday, February 23, 2020

Barbara (Barb) Lee Reed died peacefully in Key West, Florida on Thursday, February 20th at the age of 77.

She was fiercely passionate about her Christian faith, family, and friends. She served so many in her communities in Venture Out, Cudjoe Key, FL and Cass County, IN.
She provided unconditional love and devotion to her family.

Barb is survived by her loving husband, Joe Reed, of Logansport IN/Cudjoe Key, FL; and her 4 children and their families; David (Son), Amy (daughter-in-law) and grandchildren Matt and Meghan Reed;
Neil (Son), Kathrina (daughter-in-law) and grandchildren Andrew, Samuel and Michael Reed; Aaron (Son), Susan (daughter-in-law) and grandchildren Ella and Sophia Reed; and Cindy (Daughter), TJ (son-in-law) and grandchildren Todd and Graham Rothwell. She had loving siblings, Sharon (sister) & Roy (brother-in-law) Jennings, Kathy (sister) & Pat (brother-in-law) O'Keefe and Debbie Gilreath (sister). Betty and Gordon Mounts (sister and brother-in-law), Steve and Joyce Reed (brother and sister-in-law) and Jim Reed (brother-in-law)

Barb was born in Hobart, IN to Harold and Nell Gray on September 15, 1942. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Purdue University and a Master's in Social Work from Indiana University. She raised her family near Walton, IN. A strong advocate of public education, Barb worked as a school counselor and social worker in the Logansport School Corporation for over twenty years.Barb was an avid Cubs fan, long before they broke the curse of the goat. She was a champion for the League of Women's voters and believed that everyone should vote. She was an active community volunteer, serving organizations across Cass County, including the Cass County Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Relay for Life, Walton Library and Onward Christian Church and was a supporter of the Cass County United Way and Cass County YMCA. Barb and Joe also received the Changing Lives Award in recognition of their long time, dedicated support of Ivy Tech Community College.

In recent years, she and her loyal dog June volunteered in the pet therapy, Love on a Lease program. Barb served on the Venture Out condominium board. She also spent time tutoring individuals who were preparing to sit for the US citizenship exam. Additionally, she embraced hosting multiple international exchange students who not only enriched the lives of her family, but also the community as a whole. She traveled the world every chance she got with a special love for the homeland of her father, Ireland.

Whether it was organizing a prayer chain, a family gathering, or an event centered around one of her many philanthropic activities, she was a woman of passion and heart and led a purpose driven life. She will be missed but leaves a lasting legacy.

Memorial services will be held in Venture Out community center on Sunday 2/23 at 1pm in Cudjoe Key, FL. A Celebration of life will be held at a later date at the Onward Christian Church in Onward, IN.