Maridel (Howard) Reed passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas, Arkansas.
Mrs. Reed was born Oct. 8, 1921, to Charles and Mary Agee Howard in the Agee Community, which was named after her maternal grandfather, William Agee.
Maridel graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1939. In 1940, she married Robert Lee Reed II. They were married 57 years before his death in October 1997.
Maridel is survived by two children, a daughter Donna Kay Reed of Columbia, Missouri, and a son Robert Lee Reed III of Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren, Karin Telle of Tampa, Florida, Todd Reed Telle of San Diego, California, Robert L Reed IV of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jan Marie Mead of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and five great-grandchildren, Blake, Adam and Joshua Reed and Rhea and Kasidy Mead.
Before retiring in 1986, Mrs. Reed worked 31 years for the State of Missouri. She was caseworker and supervisor for Family Services and for 15 years she was with the Division of Youth Services. The last seven years she was a regional administrator for the Southeast region. Mrs. Reed traveled the world extensively, visiting over 30 countries. She was an avid golfer, often waking up early to hit golf balls prior to going to work. She was also a creative talent, painting extensively with watercolors to create works of art shared with friends and family. Mrs. Reed always enjoyed having conversations with her family, friends, and new acquaintances she met along the way. She lived a fantastic, inspirational life and will be missed.