Barbara Kathryn Reed

A graveside service for Barbara will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Cedar Lawns Memorial Park, 7200 180th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 1 pm at Union Hill Alliance Church, 20810 NE Union Hill Rd, Redmond WA 98053.

Barbara K. Reed slipped away from time and struggle to be with the Lord 1/22/2022. She was preceded by Robert, her husband of more than 60 years, in 2010. She is survived by children Mark, Timothy, Rebekah Trainor, Deborah Price, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy. Barbara is also survived by 2 brothers, 1 sister and a host of nieces, grandnieces, nephews, grandnephews and many friends.

Barbara met Robert, “the boy on the adjoining 80 acres”, when she was 11 and he was 12. They became pals, then sweethearts in high school and married when she was 19 and he 20. She was his “long stemmed American Beauty” and he was her champion, comfortable enough in himself to feel no qualms urging her to wear high heels when she already exceeded his height by inches.

Both Bob and Bobbie, as they were known, committed their lives to Jesus Christ at Sambica Bible Camp on Lake Sammamish. The desire they both had to follow God’s call, led to lives of service to others in many countries around the world (Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines) as missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). In 1979 they returned to the United States where Bob accepted a position at the national offices of the C&MA. Later Bobbie took the position of General Council coordinator.

Living and working in other countries shifted to living and working first in New York then Colorado Springs. The friendships and experiences of the 40 years they served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance were precious treasures to Bob and Bobbie. When they retired they returned to the place where they met and had grown up together, Union Hill, Redmond WA.

Serving and caring for others continued as they began again attending the church where they had been married in 1949. Bob and Bobbie served in a variety of roles including leading Bible study groups and hosting monthly fellowship brunches.

Bobbie’s passions were many. Chiefest among them was being Mrs. Robert Reed. A likely second was cooking and the art of hospitality, then collecting dishes….a lot of dishes and living in the woods next to the house where she grew up now occupied by her youngest brother and his family. Many times on returning from a doctor’s appointment or shopping, as we turned into the driveway and drove into the dappled shade of the towering firs and cedars surrounding her home, she would say “Who are the lucky people who get to live here!?”

When Bobbie lost Bob in 2010 she found solace in continuing to lead her ladies Bible study group and hosting the monthly fellowship brunches. First time visitors were often gently ambushed by the spirit of welcome and shelter that pervaded her home. One such visitor turned to her and said “It’s like the house is wrapping its arms around me!” Nothing gave Bobbie more pleasure than being able to grant a place of sanctuary and rest to those who came. If it could include tasty food in a variety of dishes all the better! Only COVID19 and the pandemic restrictions could have ended the service to others that had been a part of Bobbie’s life for so many, many decades.

Bobbie leaves the legacy of a life lived by the power and grace of God. Should anyone who knew her take courage or inspiration from the example of her life, and in turn give it to others, her joy would be complete.

We miss you dearly, mom

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CedarLawns-Washington.com for the Reed family.