James Rufus Reed, 81, of Jasper, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 4th, 2022. He was a loving and much-loved Christian husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Rufus was born on August 21, 1940 to Leighton and Mendie Reed in Cordova. He graduated from Cordova High School in 1959 and attended Walker College. His career of 29 years included working as an electrician, electrical maintenance supervisor, and retired as a Safety Specialist all with the Alabama Power Company. He was a trustee for Cordova High School and served on the Walker County Civil Service Board.
Rufus loved the Lord. He was saved at ten years old at Union Grove Baptist Church where he was later ordained as a deacon. He also served as a deacon at Cordova First Baptist Church and also at Jasper’s First Baptist Church. He faithfully taught Sunday School and served in many leadership areas in the church.
The love of Rufus’ life was his wife Patsy. They had a wonderful life together serving the Lord, traveling, celebrating holidays with big family meals and watching their grandsons play sports. Rufus worked with his hands and could fix almost anything. He enjoyed gardening and teaching his grandchildren many skills to help them through life. Rufus sincerely loved and had a genuine concern for others. He always had a joyful smile, a warm and sincere greeting and an encouraging word for those he met. He loved telling others about the good things the Lord had done for Him and was committed to sharing his faith.
Rufus was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Alma Reed and Marion and Susannah Wylie; parents, Leighton and Mendie Reed; in-laws, Freeman “Lefty” and Bernice Collier; and siste,r Shelby Jent.
Rufus is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patsy Collier Reed; children, Greg Reed (Mitsy) and Angie Reed Lum (George); grandchildren, Andrew Reed, James Reed (fiancée Annika Kraft), John Michael Reed (Kalei Woodley Reed) and Reed Lum; siblings, Doris Vines, Wilson Reed, Kay Williams, and Darlene Bell.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 10th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Jasper’s First Baptist Church. The funeral will follow the visitation. Dr. Mike Adams will officiate and Kilgore Green Funeral Home will direct.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Jasper’s First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 71, Jasper, AL 35502 or Walker Area Community Foundation, 124 North Walston Bridge Road, Jasper, AL 35504.
