Ladonna Marie Reed

LaDonna Marie Reed, 87, of Sherwood, Arkansas, went home to be with her Lord on June 18, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was born December 5, 1938, in Gage, Oklahoma, where she was raised on a farm and learned early the value of hard work—something she carried with her every day of her life.

LaDonna met the love of her life, Jerry Reed, in the summer of 1955. Jerry patiently waited two years for her to finish high school, and the two married on July 21, 1957. Together they built a beautiful life anchored in faith, family, and service. Their marriage was a living example of commitment and unconditional love.

LaDonna retired from Kroger after many dedicated years, but retirement never slowed her down. She volunteered at the local food pantry, sang joyfully in her church choir, and was happiest when she was serving someone else. She loved being in church and made sure her children were there every time the doors were open. She raised them to love God, to know Him as their Savior, and to trust in the promise of seeing one another again.

LaDonna was famous for her chocolate chip cookies — especially the warm ones she made the moment her “baby boy,” Jay, walked through the door from out of state. She moved constantly, never wasting a minute. Whether she was working in her yard for hours (a yard no one could ever quite match), ironing, cooking, or helping someone in need, she did everything with pride and purpose.

LaDonna and Jerry showed up for their children and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-greats — every game, every program, every event. If she wasn’t there, it was only because someone forgot to put it on her calendar. She believed being on time meant being early, and no one ever figured out how she managed to get all five kids ready for church and out the door on time every Sunday.

She was strong—physically and spiritually. She could beat you in arm wrestling or Indian wrestling well into adulthood, and she didn’t let anyone win. She played softball into her 50s. She kept her grandchildren no matter what—even if they had chickenpox, she didn’t just watch them she played with them. She sat on the floor, played catch, and even did backbends with them. She loved playing cards and dominoes with her friends and family.

She loved to hear from you, but she never stayed on the phone long. We thought maybe she thought long distance still cost extra, but it was because she was frugal and did not like to waste money. Jerry would always joke that on trips LaDonna would make him eat ground bologna sandwiches when they could be eating fresh seafood. But even frugal, LaDonna was always gracious and generous. She was dependable, steady, and always beautifully put together, even if she had a little dirt under her fingernails from working in the yard right up until it was time to leave to go somewhere.

The last several years brought the challenges of Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease that slowly took her memories but never her kindness, her gentle spirit, or the love she had for her family. When reminded of stories, she would smile sweetly and say, “If you say so.” Even as the disease progressed, her heart remained unchanged.

LaDonna was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Elizabeth Loomis; her brothers, Wes Loomis and Darwin Loomis; her sister, Roma Kerr ; her beloved daughter, Vicki McCall; and her faithful husband, Jerry Reed, with whom she is now joyfully reunited.

She is survived by her children: Kathi Dyson, Neal Reed, Dane (Donni) Reed, and Jay (Christie) Reed; eight grandchildren; thirteen great‑grandchildren; and three great‑great‑grandchildren—each one a testament to the love she poured into her family.

Her legacy is not measured in possessions, but in the lives she touched, the faith she lived, and the family she built. She taught her children that “You can love someone or you can lose them—it’s your choice.” She chose love, every time.

We say a temporary goodbye to LaDonna with love and peace, with the simple phrase she used so often at the end of a call: “We’ll be talking to ya.”

Visitation for LaDonna will be held Sunday June 28 at 2:00 pm with funeral services to follow at 3:00 pm, at 47th Street Baptist Church, 4700 Pike Avenue, North Little Rock, Arkansas.