Mildred Reed

Mildred Reed of Potosi, Missouri departed this life on November 23, 2013 at the Potosi Manor Nursing Home having reached the age of eighty five years, nine months and two days. She was born on February 21, 1928 a daughter to the late John Eye and Sarah Jane (Kathcart) Eye.
On November 10, 1945 Mildred was united in marriage to Melvin Reed at Shirley, Missouri.
Mildred was saved and baptized at an early age and followed the Lord's leadership all the rest of her life. In 1960, Bro. Melvin & Sis. Mildred moved their family to Steelville, Missouri to begin the work of establishing a mission church off of White Oak Grove Baptist Church, Shirley, Missouri.
Mildred was instrumental in leading many souls to Christ. She could always be found in her place in the choir, usually holding a baby along with her hymnal. She taught many classes over the years as well as worked in many church camps and vacation bible school ministries. Sis. Mildred not only assisted the church spiritually, but physically as well. She was not afraid of hard work and even helped lay the hardwood floors of the new Straightway Missionary Baptist Church building. But far and above these talents, was her ability to make people feel welcome and loved in her home and in the church. No one was turned away and the supper table was usually always full. She truly had the gift of hospitality.
In 1993, Bro. Melvin & Sis. Mildred returned to Potosi and to White Oak Grove where she remained a member until her death. Now she is singing in Heaven's Choir and probably still insists they sing, "all the verses" of each hymn.

Those who remain to celebrate Mildred's life are her loving husband of sixty eight years Melvin Reed of Potosi; two daughters Fern Wallis and husband Jim of Steelville, Mary Esther Parry and husband John of Potosi; three sons Jerry Reed of Cadet, Perry Reed and wife Diane of West Plains, Missouri, Larry Reed of Potosi; three brothers Sammy Eye and wife Sara of Potosi, Wendell Eye and wife Janice of Potosi, Michael Eye and wife Bonnie of Potosi; two sisters Grace Vaughn of Texas, Norma Jane Wilkerson and husband Jack of Potosi; brothers and sisters in law James Reed and wife Pat, George Reed, Ruth Glore, Helen Franklin, Betty Abbey and husband Doyle, Wayne Reed and wife Jane, Roger Reed and wife Sue, Terry Reed and wife Charlynn, Hope Jarvis and husband Mike, Judy Reed; best friend Judy Mason "Trudy"; dear friend and helper Marilyn Summers; twenty two grandchildren; forty eight great grandchildren; ten great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by four brothers Sloman Eye and wife Ethel; Oval Eye and wife Opal "Blacky"; Elzie Eye; Donald Eye and wife Violet; two sisters Doris Fenstermaker and husband George; Lelia Kendall and husband Harry; father and mother in law Ott and Opal Reed; brothers in law Larry Glore; Donald Franklin, Bill Wilkerson, Elmer Reed and wife Wilma Lee; sisters in law Darlene Eye and Norma Lee Reed; niece Gracie Reed and nephew Gene Wilkerson.
Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 11 AM White Oak Grove Baptist Church with Elder Mike Jarvis officiating assisted by Elder Doyle Abbey. Honoring Mildred as pallbearers were Jeff Perkins, Michael Reed, Dillion Parry, Bart Reed, Danny Wallis, Eric Wallis, Philip Blanford, Justin Perkins, Casey Reed, Adam Reed and Jason Reed.
Interment and final prayers were held at the White Oak Grove Cemetery. All arrangements were respectfully cared for by the DeClue Family Funeral Home.