Betty Ann Smith Reed

Betty Ann Smith Reed left this life on September 28th, 2017, at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 28 days. She was the daughter of William Omby and Mary Walker Smith, and she was the wife of Parker Reed. Along with her parents and her husband, Betty Ann was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold, Bob, Clifford, and Gideon Smith. She is survived by one sister, Doris Lackey, as well as all of her children: Lynn and Lydia Reed, Roger and Anita Reed, Tim and Brenda Reed, Tommy and Kathy Reed, Lisa and Dwayne Holcombe, and Susan Foard. Known as “Granny” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by 13 grandchildren—Graeme, Logan, and Molly Reed, Eric and Ty Reed, Nicole Reed, Natalie and Joseph Thomas and Preston Reed, Mary Beth and Drew Angel, and Julianne and Jake Foard. Her 7 great-grandchildren are Sarah and Hannah Reed, Wilson, Anderson, and Cora Thomas, and Colton and Cason Angel. She is also both preceded in death and survived by seemingly countless extended family whom she loved dearly.

Betty Ann worked for many years at Savannah Manufacturing where she was a friend to many. She graduated from Savannah Central with the class of 1950 and was a long-standing member of Bethel Primitive Baptist Church.

In the course of her life, she had two great loves—her Lord and her family. Betty Ann was a woman of unfaltering faith. She lived a life that was blessed but imperfect, and she faced hardships with grace defying human strength. She humbly credited her blessings never to her own efforts, but to the faithful grace of her Savior. She spent her life serving others—particularly her family. Her yard was filled with children’s laughter for over 65 years, and her biggest smile was seen when her home was filled with family as they shared fond memories and created new ones while indulging her one-of-a-kind dishes. Her love knew no bounds, and as her legacy grew, her love grew with it. Whether it was through birth or marriage, she thanked God for every addition. She shared food and music and art, stories that brought laughter and a few that brought tears, but most importantly, she shared a legacy of faith in all things and through all things. She was the very definition of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her family most certainly calls her blessed and takes comfort in the assurance that her faithfulness has indeed led to “her praise in the city gates.”

Betty Ann’s family celebrated her life and her final farewell on what would have been her 85th birthday on the land that most of her family, at one point or another, had been blessed to call home. As one final explicit act of faith, Betty Ann’s family is sure she would want them to share the foundation of her faith and encourage others to follow her example, Romans 9:37 “In all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us.”