Celeste Sturdevant Reed

Dr. Celeste Sturdevant Reed was born on May 12, 1946 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Bruce Layton Sturdevant and Helen Lorene Clevenger Sturdevant. After persevering for more than seventeen years through various treatments for a brain tumor, Celeste passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Williamston, Michigan on November 6, 2014.

Celeste spent her formative years in Muscatine, Iowa, graduating from High School as valedictorian in 1964. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, where she graduated with a BS in General Science in 1968, followed by a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1970. She completed a PhD in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University in 2001. Celeste had a long and illustrious career in the field of Social Work. She worked at the Department of Social Services in both Detroit and Lansing, the Social Work Continuing Education Department at the University of Michigan, and at Michigan State University (MSU). While at MSU, Celeste worked for the School of Social Work, the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, the Institute for Children, Youth and Families, and University Outreach and Engagement. She retired from MSU as an Evaluator and Engagement Specialist for the Community Evaluation and Research Center in 2013.

Celeste was joined in marriage to Phillip J. Reed on August 21, 1978. Celeste enjoyed cultural arts of all kinds, including visual art, theatre, and music. For a time, Celeste and Phil were the owners of the Innova Gallery of Native American art in Williamston. They enjoyed nearly 20 years of marriage before Phil’s death from cancer in 1998.

Celeste was an enthusiastic traveler, and visited numerous countries. She completed travel to Egypt and the Panama Canal, two adventures that topped her list of places to go and things to do. She was a favorite aunt to her five nieces, and included several of them on her travels. Celeste was a generous supporter of the Williamston United Methodist Church and the community of Williamston.

Celeste was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Reed, her father, Bruce Sturdevant, and two sisters, Carmene and Camille Sturdevant. She is survived by her mother, Helen Sturdevant; her two sisters Christine Sturdevant Brink and husband Robert, and Constell Sturdevant Steinhaus and husband Eric; nieces Sarah Brink Latcham, Rachel Brink Woodford, Leah Brink, and Mara and Sarika Steinhaus; as well as four great nephews and nieces, and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Williamston United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations:

Williamston United Methodist Church

211 S. Putnam

Williamston, MI 48895

517-655-2430

or

UNICEF, www.unicef.org, or by phone: 1-800-367-5437