Nellie Reed

Nellie Lou (Willis) Reed, age 92, passed away on Monday, November 26, 2012. She was born in Emporia, Kansas on September 22, 1920 to Helen (Wilson) and W. Wayne Willis. As a young girl, Nellie Lou moved with her family to Manhattan, Kansas where she received her education. She graduated from Kansas State University with a Vocational Home Economics degree. While attending KSU, she met Tom M. Reed, whom she married in Seattle, Washington on December 25, 1942 during Tom's active duty with the United States Navy. In Seattle, Nellie Lou worked for a bank and was the leader for a Senior Girl Scout Mariners Troop who sailed on Puget Sound. After WWII, Nellie Lou and Tom settled in Bartlesville, Oklahoma as Tom was employed with Phillips Petroleum Company. Nellie Lou was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as head of the Primary Department and teacher when her children were young. She was also a member of Chapter D.W. of P.E.O., Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae and Bartlesville Service League. Nellie Lou enjoyed her volunteer work with Girl Scouts, Y-Teens and the Red Cross Blood Bank. Besides the activities with her family, Nellie Lou's hobbies included sewing, cooking and needlepoint. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom; her brothers, Wilson and Don; her sister, Edith Depew; one daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Bryant; and one granddaughter, Katherine Ann Bryant. Survivors include one daughter, Jean Burns and her husband, David, of Mustang, Oklahoma; one son, Thomas Willis Reed and his wife, Krista, of Oklahoma City; sister-in-law, Leila Weber, of La Crosse, Kansas; sister-in-law, Peggy Willis, of Wichita, Kansas; brother-in-law, Scott Tidswell, Jr., of Lamar, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful staff of Green Country Village, Lakeview, the Visiting Angels and caregivers from Rivercross Hospice. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society; Girl Scouts of Washington County; or to the donor's choice.

Service Details

Saturday, December 1st, 2012 1:30pm, First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville