On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Betty Jean Reed, a loving and devoted mother of four and grandmother of ten, departed this earth at age 89.

Betty was born on September 19, 1933, in Laurel, Mississippi. She was one of thirteen children born to William and Mary Curry Harden. She, along with her family, migrated from Laurel to Erie, Pennsylvania when she was a teenager. Betty was a devoted Christian who gave her life to the Lord as a teenager, attending and worshipping at the family church, Cherry Street Church of God. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, PA.

After moving to Cleveland and marrying her husband, Bruce Reed, they went on to have four beautiful children: Lynn, Cheryl, Bruce, and Meredeth. At 48 years old, she received her associate degree in dietetic technology from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1987. She was a member of the national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. She was also an active member of Mt. Pleasant Church of God for over 50 years.

Betty has a passion for music and singing. Betty used her gift of song, along with her sisters, to minister her faith as part of a singing group, known as the Harden Sisters, who traveled throughout the region. Her soprano voice has been admired by many who have had the pleasure of hearing her sing.

Betty loved to garden and to cherish nature’s scenic beauty. She loved to travel and even went to the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii and took a cruise to Alaska with her sister, Ray Crumbly. She was a phenomenal chef, passing down many of her beloved recipes to her children and grandchildren such as Peach Cobbler, Sweet Potato Pie, and Pound Cake.

In 2006, Betty moved to Twinsburg, OH with her daughter, Cheryl, son-in-law, Bill, and their children. It was here that she attended Twinsburg’s Twins Day Festival and attended Fellowship Church of God, where she participated in “HATtitude”, a pageant event where she showcased her love for fashion. Betty spent her days keeping her brain sharp with her love of Sudoku puzzles, classic Western shows Bonanza and Gunsmoke, and Christian romance novels. She was also a die-hard Cleveland sports fan with a special place in her heart for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Betty could also be seen cheering on her grandchildren at all their various sporting events, being their biggest cheerleader.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, father, daughter Meredeth Reed, husband Bruce Reed, and 11 brothers and sisters.

Betty will leave to cherish her memory her children, Lynn Nearon, Cheryl Marable (William), and Bruce Reed Jr.; brother Pastor Richard Harden; grandchildren Charles, Lauren, and Erica, Sean, Danielle and Jasmine, Brianne, Brittany, Brandon and Bryant. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Caden, Ethan, and Olivia and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.