Katie “Boots” Reed Gaston of the Mt. Hope Community passed away Monday, January 09, 2023. The visitation will be Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville, Alabama. The funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Daniel Tortorici and Matthew Massey will be in charge of the service. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Methodist Cemetery following the service.
Katie was born on May 12, 1934 in Lawrence County, Alabama, in the Hickory Grove Community. She lived the majority of her life in Mt. Hope and attended Mt. Hope Baptist Church. She got her nickname Boots from her mother after a comic character. Katie’s family and friends always called her Boots. She graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1952 and while there she was a cheerleader. Katie was the last living graduate of the class of 1952.
She worked at Bell Telephone Company in Decatur. She married her high school sweetheart, Billie Gaston, in December 1952. Katie was a stay-at-home mom and substitute teacher at Mt. Hope. She also helped on the farm and later worked at ALFA.
Then in her 50’s, Boots returned to school attending Shoals Community College. She obtained a degree in Business and had an A average. She then worked at Shoals Community College in Student Support Services till she was 70. Boots was a talented quilter and enjoyed attending the National Quilt Show in Paducah, Kentucky. She loved working in her flowers and cooking for the family. Boots was an avid reader especially the later years of life.
Boots and Billie enjoyed watching Bama Sports on TV. Trips to the beach, camping and mountain trips were her favorite. Also, she enjoyed watching her grands play sports. Most of all she loved time with her family.
Katie was preceded in death by her parents Roscoe and Lucille (Bynum) Reed; her husband of 69 years and the love of her life Billie Gaston, in-laws Homer and Elsie Gaston. Siblings, Dewey Reed, Billy Reed and Bobbie Jean Lord.
She is survived by daughter Rebecca (Royce) Massey and son Mike (Fay) Gaston. Grandchildren: Matthew (Kelly) Massey, Mark (Shanna) Massey, Meagan (Andrew) Bragwell and Molly (Daniel) Tortorici. Greatgrands: Ella Ruby, Sutton Grace, Millie, Holden, Thomas and Vivi Kate Massey. Siblings: Betty Waters, Gwendelyn Hovater, Peg (Charlie) Freeman, Ted (June) Reed and Vicki (Rodger) Counts and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Brad McAnally who cared for Katie with kindness and wisdom for almost 30 years, Hospice of North Alabama and special thanks to family friends, Michelle Riddle and Cindy Dobbs for providing extra love and care.
If you would like to make donations, please make to Muscle Shoals Public Library (Large Print Books) who provided Katie with books for over 5 years even during covid, or to any charity of your choice.
Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family. To have us sign the book for you, please free to call or to leave private condolences, please visit our website at www.sprymemorialchapel.com.
