Jacqueline (Jackie) Demps Reed
Jackie Reed, 87, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, July 10th surrounded by her loving family.
For over 30 years, Jackie Reed has dedicated her time attending City Council and Governmental meetings as a voice of the people holding elected officials accountable.
Since 1988, she has run for Mayor nine (9) times and ran for Kling’s City Council District 4 seat seven (7) times. She is a candidate for Kling’s seat in the next election August 2022.
Reed attended Tennessee Tech University and worked for over 25 years in the Aerospace industry. She owned a dress shop called Debra’s Clothesline and was a real estate broker. Reed also had her own television talk show and wrote a column called One Woman’s Opinion’ for the community newspaper Speakin’ Out News for over 15 years. She worked part-time as a server at Barnhill’s and Ryan’s restaurants.
In recognition of her dedicated service as a volunteer and community activist, she received the Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award from the Huntsville/Madison County Branch Association (NAACP). Jackie was showcased on the “Today Show” for her perseverance, dedication and determination of never giving up. She also has a song written about her life by Mr. George Wells, Huntsville, AL; “The Legend of Jackie Reed”. She has been a great inspiration to her family and so many others. She was a strong woman of faith and loved God with all her heart.
Jackie is survived by her daughter Debbie Batson (Pat) and son Dee Reed (Donna); her two grandchildren Nathan Reed and Daniel Reed, stepmom Evelyn Demps of Sparta, TN.; brother Floyd Demps (Stacey) of Sparta, TN; sister April Smith (John) of Sparta, TN, niece Pam Hall Napier of Chatsworth, GA; nephew Morris Hall (Deanna) of Town Creek, AL; as well as numerous cousins.
Jackie is preceded in death by her husband, Ray B. Reed; special friend, Charles H. Bailes; parents Morris and Mary Dell Demps; sister, Barbara Hall; and brother, Dennis Demps.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 15th from 4:00-8:00pm at Berryhill Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, July 16th at Berryhill Funeral Home at 11:00am with visitation from 9:00-11:00am. Dr. Glenn Conner officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. Additional details provided at berryhillfh.com
Special thanks to the nurses, doctors and specialists in CCU II at Huntsville Hospital for their loving care during a very difficult time.
