Mary Ellen Reed
1939 - 2025
Mary Ellen Reed, a beloved resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on February 2nd, 2025. Her life, a testament to unwavering faith and selfless service, touched countless hearts and leaves a legacy of love and kindness. She was 85 years old.
Born on September 1st, 1939, Mary was the daughter of the late John David Reed and Mary Thomas (Bond) Reed. She was preceded in death by her father, her mother, and her sister, Nancy Sue (Reed) Green of Louisville, Kentucky. While her physical presence will be deeply missed, her memory will be cherished by her surviving sister, Judy B. (Reed) McDowell, her nephew, Rolland Lee Cottrill and her niece’s, Cynthia Cottrill, Michelle Walker, and Kimberly Walker and her grand-niece, Lacie Nicole Robinson. These family members, along with a host of friends and those whose lives she impacted, mourn her passing yet celebrate her eternal homecoming.
Mary’s life was filled with devotion, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to her faith. Her dedication to serving the Lord was the cornerstone of her existence, influencing every aspect of her life and touching all those who knew her. She lived her faith openly and genuinely, embodying the very essence of Christian love and grace.
Mary Ellen Reed will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her life was a gift, a shining example of how to live with grace, compassion, and faith. While her physical presence is gone, her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched, a reminder of the enduring power of love and the transformative power of faith. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and devotion, a legacy that will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.
Sending love and prayers to you all. Mary was a kind and gentle soul. Love you all.
To Judy, Gary, Mary’s Loved Ones and Family…
I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to a beautiful friend and Big Sis. Mary was a shining light and the love of Jesus flowed out of her. I had the honor and privilege of meeting Mary through her sisters Judy and Nancy. Initially, I met Judy at Wake Forest Baptist and we had no doubt that our meeting and friendship was divinely appointed. Imagine our surprise when we learned we both had moved up here to Winston Salem from Florida (Ft Myers). Nancy and her husband, Peter were visiting Judy and Gary and I had the opportunity to meet them and both Nancy and Judy adopted me as their Lil’ Sister. On our first trip down to Florida together, I met MER and she immediately took me in as her Lil Sis as well. It thrilled me to have Big Sisters.
I had the opportunity to really get to know Mary on visits to Florida when I would get the honor to stay with her. She opened her home to me, shared her fur babies with me and I got to see her in action. The light of Jesus shined through in all she did and she was such a help to Judy’s daughter, Michelle, Kim, and Laci. She also was close to Ron and Cynthia and Judy had the peace of mind that even when she could not be in Florida, her children had MER. She loved her family and friends.
Mary, I miss you so much already and can only begin to imagine the loss and pain your family is feeling during this time. We know Mary is in the arms of Jesus and hanging out with her Mom, Dad, Nancy, and Peter. We look forward to joining them in the future. So thankful Mary is no longer in pain and that she is having a fabulous time with those waiting for her to arrive. You will be missed but know you are in such a better place.
Hugz and Love,
Lynn (Lil’ Sis)