Nancy Janice Ekleberry Reed

Nancy Janice Reed, 86, passed away at home on January 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. Nancy was born on March 20, 1939, to Hollis and Lucille Ekleberry, in Lorain County, Ohio, where she resided until relocating her young family to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Nancy dedicated her life to providing a loving home and raising her three daughters to become independent, thoughtful and kind women. Her life was a wonderful example of taking pleasures in the beautiful God-given gifts of nature, and humble, quiet living.

Nancy’s artistic talents blossomed at a young age, and the beauty of her creativity was evident throughout her life in her many interests and hobbies. She enjoyed watercolor and oil painting, sewing and crochet, and found joy in creating things by hand.

After her retirement from Chattanooga Publishing, Nancy's days were filled working in her garden and spending time with her family. Her patience and support for her girls and her grandchildren was unwavering. She taught the importance of finding joy in simple moments. She will be dearly missed, not only for the unconditional love and warmth she gave, but for the strength and grace she carried with her every day.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Sue Hottenrott, Patricia Fink, Clark Ekleberry & Sally Rubis, her granddaughters, Erin Higdon and Natausha Sewell, great granddaughter Nakylie Taylor, and special friend, Paul "Sonny" Nichols.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Marjorie (Reuben) Leamon, Bonnie (Mike) Hutsell and Sherry Taylor, her grandchildren, Jeremy (Jill) Higdon, Andy Higdon and Alisha (Jordan) Reed Eblen, her great grandsons, Crawford Higdon, Cameron Drawdy, Colin Drawdy, Cadan Gann, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Nancy will be Private.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

The family suggests donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Nancy's Memory.

"What We Have Once Enjoyed We Can Never Lose ... All That We Love Deeply Becomes a Part of Us".