Mary Kirkpatrick Reed always had a twinkle in her eyes. Maybe the twinkle came from her ever-present rosy disposition. It could also have been a reflection from the shiny, tasteful Christmas decorations which adorned her comfortable home 365 days a year. She often said, “I’m happy to celebrate Christmas — in a house filled with Santa Clauses — every day of the year.” The lights of Christmas are dimmer today because of her passing. Now, Mary has been reunited with her great love, Dan Reed, her husband of 58 years, who preceded her in death.
She was an accomplished woman, a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, Rotarian and active, long-time member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. She retired as the executive secretary of The Rotary Club of Columbus. Her rich, well-lived life began on August 20, 1921 when she was born in Decatur, Georgia to parents Lynne Sullivan Kirkpatrick and William White Kirkpatrick.
Mrs. Reed is survived by her children, William Kirk Reed (Susan), Tucson, Arizona and
Patrick Michael Reed (Pam), Raleigh, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Bryan Reed
(Amanda), Daniel Thrall (Rachel), Katie Ruse (Aaron), Nathan Reed (Danielle), Adriane Reed
and Emily Reed; her great-grandchildren Elijah and Ayva, Eugene, Oregon; Sivana and Kalil,
San Diego, California; Mya, Jet and Hattie, Auburn, Indiana; and Elise and Jenson, Raleigh,
North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Dan Reed, parents, Lynne Sullivan and William
White Kirkpatrick and her brother, Francis Mangot Kirkpatrick.
In addition to celebrating Christmas all year round, she enjoyed needlework, was an avid reader,
and a long-time member of the Junto Study Club. She served as travel coordinator for St. Luke
Older Adults and delivered Meals on Wheels for more than a quarter century.
She graduated from Decatur Girls High School in Decatur, Georgia and attended Agnes Scott College until the beginning of her senior year, when she married Dan Reed in 1941.
She was a member of the P. E. O. Sisterhood, had perfect attendance as a Rotarian since 1997,
served as Youth Director and Lay Leader at St. Luke United Methodist Church and was an active
member of the Fellowship/Jesus is Lord Sunday School class.
In addition to these leadership roles, she received many accolades including a garden created in
Her honor at St. Luke United Methodist Church in recognition of her leadership and the Mary
Reed Rotary Award for Service Above Self, created as an annual recognition of a member of
The Rotary Club of Columbus. She was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Will Watt Fellow in
Rotary and was selected as a Gracious Lady of Georgia.
She was particularly proud of being a mother to two accomplished sons, Kirk, a United
Methodist pastor, and history professor Patrick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 867, Columbus, GA 31902, or to The Rotary Foundation, C/O Rotary Club of Columbus, P. O. Box 1138, Columbus, GA 31902.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 20, 2021 at St. Luke United Methodist Church with Reverend Thad Haygood officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA.
Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to offer condolences or to share a favorite memory.
