Mary Francis Spencer Reed, 88 of Petersburg, IL, passed away at 10:37 a.m., Tuesday July 28, 2020 at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Petersburg, IL, as she went to heaven to be with her family and loved ones that preceded her.
She was born August 1, 1931 in Conway, Horry County, South Carolina to Helen Sudie Stevens Spencer and James William Howard Spencer. She married Allen Thacher Reed on November 25,1954. He passed away on June 23, 1999 in Eureka, IL.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Helen Sudie Stevens Spencer and James W. H. Spencer and half-siblings Hollis Stevens, Haywood Stevens, Hoyt Steven, and Lavada Stevens Altman.
Mary is survived by her children Mary Margaret Reed, Alisa Reed-French, Linda Sue Reed and James Allen Reed; her grandchildren Zachary Ryan Reed, Spencer Perry French, Melissa Carley Reed, Isabelle Thala Reed and Eleanor Elizabeth Reed and great grandchildren Jackson Daniel Reed and Letty Rayne Reed. She is also survived by her sister, Vivian Spencer Altman.
She was a devoted healthcare provider for decades, working at Garrett Hospital and at Maple Lawn Nursing Home, in Eureka, Illinois until she retired. Patients frequently asked for her by name, as they loved her back massages and foot soaks.
While attending Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Columbia, she met her future husband, Allen Thacher Reed who was stationed at Fort Jackson. He became an ordained Presbyterian minister. Mary actively supported her husband's ministry and raised a family living in Marion, Kentucky; Eldorado and Divernon, Illinois; Garrett, Indiana; and Eureka, Illinois.
Mary was a tireless worker, volunteer, Sunday school teacher and child advocate. She loved nature, especially birds, flowers, and trees. She was a girl scout leader, organized church functions and woman's circles, raised funds for March of Dimes, American Cancer Society among others.
Her family thanks the staff at Sunny Acres Nursing Home for their compassionate care.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 8, 2020 in Olio Township Cemetery, Eureka, IL. Pastor Bob Montgomery will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.argoruestmanharris.com.
Graveside services
AUG
8.
10:30 AM (CST)
Olio Township Cemetery
1015 S. Main Street
Eureka, IL 61530
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