Burlington – Donald Lee Reed “Don”, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 21, 2018. A native of Hartwell, Georgia, he was born on March 17, 1931 to the late Clarence Moser Reed and Rosa Lee Steed Reed. Don served his country in the Air Force as a Radio Mechanic during the Korean War and in the aftermath.
After receiving an honorable discharge on December 3, 1954, he enrolled in the Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned an Industrial Management Degree. Upon completing… Read More » his degree, Don moved to North Carolina to begin his long career with Western Electric as a Computer Analyst. Shortly after, Don met the love of his life, Frances Anne Ray, on a blind date at the Boar & Castle Restaurant in Greensboro.
They were married by the Reverend Tom Anderson on July 19, 1962 in a small ceremony at First Presbyterian Church. Don loved his church and was an active member until his decline, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Elder. He served his community in many other ways throughout his life, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Teen Challenge, Meals on Wheels, and Loaves and Fishes.
Dear to his heart were the two mission trips he attended with fellow church members to Peru. In Don’s early adult years, he owned and operated a single engine plane and loved taking Fran for a spin. Don was also a very talented and passionate woodworker and spent many hours in his workshop crafting one-of-a-kind Shaker and Queen Anne furniture, Nantucket baskets, and Windsor chairs.
He also carved folk art figurines, including santas, angels, and animals, and enjoyed gifting his beautiful art to family and friends. Don was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was affectionately called “Poppie”. His family will treasure the wonderful memories made throughout the years.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances; daughters Suzanne Smith (Garrick) and Catherine Stewart (Gene); grandchildren, Lauren Jones (Chris), Rebecca Smith, Sarah McHugh (Will), Logan Stewart, and Jacob Stewart; and one great-grandchild, Hudson Jones. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Knapp of Raleigh and Barbara Tanner of Carrollton, Georgia and a sister-in-law, Ann Reed of Augusta, Georgia. He is preceded in death by a brother Bill Reed, brothers-in-law Bill Knapp and John Tanner, and a sister-in-law Dot Reed.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of Twin Lakes Community Memory Care for their kind and compassionate care. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family. A memorial service for friends and family to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, June 28 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church Burlington, with a reception following in Calvin Hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Youth.
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