Mrs. Winifred “Winnie” Almira Grist Reed, 95, passed away at her home in Decatur on March 15, 2017. She was born on Dec. 28, 1921 in Blair, Kansas.
She taught school in a two-roomed schoolhouse in Kansas between years of college. She married Jerald Reed on Feb. 6, 1944 and moved to Galveston, Texas after the wedding. Once her children were born she stayed at home. After her last child was in school, she also started volunteering her time. The family moved to Decatur in 1971 from the Chicago area and she promptly started her volunteer work here. She drove for Meals on Wheels for several years, worked with the American Red Cross and Volunteer Center, and was active at First United Methodist Church, but she is primarily remembered for her many hours of volunteer work at Decatur General Hospital. She was a founding member of the Decatur General Auxiliary and served in all positions and committees including that of President in 1987-1988. She received numerous volunteer awards, including the Decatur General Foundation John A. Caddell Award in 1996, the Alabama Hospital Association Outstanding Auxilian Award in 1997, the Civitan Citizen of the Year in 1998, the Decatur Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2000, and the Volunteer Center “Heart of the Community” Award in 2005 and 2007.
Mrs. Reed was preceded in death by her husband, Jerald Reed; her parents, Walter and Minnie Johnston Grist; five brothers, Paul, John, George, Walter and Warren Grist; three sisters, Marion Christy, Mary Snodgrass and Anna Ayres; son-in-law, Col. Ret. Ken Beeck; and great-grandson, Gavin Washburn.
She is survived by her children, Judith Beeck, Bruce (Joan) Reed, Nancy Klar, Susan (Dave) Letourneau and David (Laura Hansen) Reed; grandchildren, Kristen Beeck Washburn (Ben), Diane Beeck MacMillan (Will), Kelly Reed, Jacqueline Reed, Liz Klar, Julie Letourneau Taccino (Mike), Katie Letourneau Price (Matt), Charlie Hansen-Reed and Jack Hansen-Reed; great-grandchildren, Owen Washburn, Anna MacMillan, Madeleine MacMillan and Leah Washburn; and sister, Ruth Grist Evans.
Visitation will be on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 1 to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Decatur, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. with burial in Roselawn Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to First United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Valley. Roselawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.
