Mary Lee Reed, 91, died on Friday afternoon, July 24, 2015, at her home. Born on Dec. 31, 1923, in McGhee, Ark., she was the daughter of Frank and Mary Etta (Adams) Moffit Washington. On Dec. 7, 1941, she was united in marriage to Abe Reed Sr. in Snow Lake, Ark. He died on Jan. 23, 1988. The family moved to Great Bend in 1946, where she was a long-time resident. She lovingly raised 14 children and helped raise many others. In addition to being a homemaker she worked at various house-keeping positions. In past years she worked as a kitchen helper at the Parrish Hotel and was a recess aide at Park Elementary School, both in Great Bend. Mary loved to cook and work in her flower garden. She had an amazing capacity to love and welcome anyone she met. She particularly loved children, and was a mother to the whole neighborhood.
Mrs. Reed was an active member of First Baptist Church in Great Bend.
Survivors include six daughters, Bobbie Bradshaw and husband, Wilburn, of Jetmore, Varna (Bunny) Johnson, Vera Reed, Betty Underwood, Linda Johnson, all of Great Bend, and Lannie Reed of Lewisville, Texas; five sons, Sebon Reed and wife, Jackie, Willie Reed and wife, Mary, and Kenneth Dale Reed, all of Great Bend, Tommy Reed and wife, Lisa of Hays, and Abe Reed Jr. of Houston, Texas; a niece Elizabeth Broils whom was raised in their home; 32 grandchildren; multiple great- and great-great-grandchildren; and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Abe Reed Sr.; one daughter, Stella Keith; one son-in-law, James Johnson; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; five siblings, Rosie Moon, Goldie Grissom, George Washington, Arthur Bailey Jr. and  James Moffitt; one nephew, James Emerson, who was raised in their home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Leroy Keith officiating. Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church or Meals On Wheels, both of Great Bend. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington Street
Great Bend, KS  67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 29, 2015