Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Fred Earl Reed, age 82

Fred Earl Reed, age 82, of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away on September 8, 2021. He was born September 28, 1938 in Sweethome, Arkansas to Russell and Ida Reed.

He was a 1956 graduate of Fuller High School in Sweethome. At 19 years old he was diagnosed with polio and was told he would never walk again but Fred defied the odds and did indeed walk. The Arkansas Democrat wrote a story about him, calling him a “Miracle Child.” If you told Fred you couldn’t do something, he would say “I can’t, never could do anything!”

He married the love of his life, Julia in 1958. Fred began his lifelong career of truck driving and mechanic work when he started working for Illing Bus Lines. Over the years he drove for JB Hunt, worked on and drove buses for the Beebe School District, and most recently, retired from P & P Truck Line.

Fred was a strict father, but raised his 6 children with love and a steady hand. He loved to play dominos, card games and dodgeball. He enjoyed fishing and watching NASCAR.

He was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Albion, Arkansas.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Ida Reed, brothers Albert Reed (Marcell) and Melvin Reed (Arlee); sisters Eileen Craig (Raymond), Naomi Beard and Phyllis McAtee (Tommy.) He is survived by his children Fred Reed, Russell Reed, Eugene Reed (Martha Sue), Randy Reed (Shelly), Mary Griffith (Robert) and Peggy Smith (Alvin); 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, along with a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday September 14, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at A Natural State Funeral Service. Graveside services will be Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 11:00 am at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas.

Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Fred’s online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com

 

 

8 Comments

  • Krystal Briggs Posted September 10, 2021 6:56 PM

    You’ll forever be in my heart…Although things were how they were between us I’ll always be your Kristy Ann…And you’ll always be my grandpa…I love you with my whole Heart R.I.P.

  • Patsy Brown Duncan Posted September 11, 2021 11:40 AM

    So sorry to hear about Fred’s death. Fred never changed and always looked just like he did when we graduated. RIP class of ‘56

  • Barbara,( Reed ) Watson Posted September 11, 2021 12:17 PM

    He will never be forgotten he was a amazing father inlaw and a joy to be around we hauled hay and it was hard work but he made things seem alot easier to work on hay hauling I will miss him, he was known by my kids as their peepaw ,my son Rustylove to ride on the truck with him and julia ,and my daughter Julie loved staying the night with her grandmother and peepaw ,and you will be watching over all of us and we will miss you !

  • Carol (Reed) Danner Posted September 12, 2021 1:17 AM

    I know we didn’t have much time around each other so we could get to know each other better because of what happened but you will always be my grandpa. I just wished that you could have been able to meet your 3 great grandsons (my 3 boys). I will miss you very much and may you rest in peace grandpa. With all my love your granddaughter Carol (Reed) Danner.

  • Dale Mcatee Posted September 12, 2021 1:37 PM

    May you fly high with the angels uncle Fred. Please give my mom Phyllis Mcatee and your mom and dad my Granny and Paw paw all a giant hug. Rest in the arms of love now .

  • Brian and Carleen McAtee Posted September 12, 2021 2:29 PM

    Prayers and love

  • Michelle (Tucker) Reed Posted September 14, 2021 5:29 AM

    You will always be grandpa Fred and Julia as grandma Fred, not sure how that started, but I think it was with your grandson Tyler. You were always kind and willing to teach how to get out in the field and cut and haul hay, tend to the cows and whatever else needed to be done in a day. RIP Grandpa Fred.

  • Diane McAtee Lowman Posted September 14, 2021 10:44 AM

    Thank you for the memories we all have of you and your family and for the time’s we all shared together. You were always my favorite uncle and have thought about you and Aunt Judy often and the time’s we and our cousins had played together. Please give my Mom, Dad, and Glen a huge hug and of course our grandparents. I love all of you and keeping you in my prayer.

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A Natural State Funeral Service & Crematory