Helen Elaine Reed

Helen Simpson Reed, age 93, transitioned to her Heavenly eternal home on April 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 23, 1933, to William Hood Simpson and Ellen Faulkner Simpson in Lowndes County, MS.

She was educated at Franklin Academy and Lee High School. She was employed at the City of Columbus Tax Office, Phelps-Dodge Appraisers, LLC and First Columbus National Bank.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and the Burdeshaw Sunday School Class for as long as she was able to attend. For a number of years, she worked with the church’s Love in Deed Program, as well as women’s missions. She loved her church; after she could no longer attend, she was a prayer warrior and always had a long prayer list.

She was a proud member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Bernard Romans Chapter and a former member of Northaven Woods Garden Club. She loved to play cards and games with family and friends. She was an excellent hostess and cook, specializing in caramel cakes, which she taught to her granddaughters, nieces, and any aspiring cook. She loved to have her grandchildren around her, cooking or baking each one their special dish, while teaching them about Jesus.

She was predeceased by her husband, Johnny Miles Reed; her sister Vera Simpson Keller and her brothers, Page Simpson, Woodrow Simpson, Houston Simpson, Stanford Simpson, Charles Simpson, James Simpson and Claude Simpson. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Reed Jarrett (Bo); her son Johnny Allen Reed; her grandchildren Mitchell Beard, Jackson Beard, Melissa Beard Merrifield (Adam), John David Reed (Kimberly), Tammie Reed Black (Darren), Donna Reed Rhodes (James), Christi Reed Browning (Danny); 11 great grandchildren ; 2 great-great grandchildren; her sister, Eleanor Simpson Griffin Ellis; sister-in-law Carolyn Reed and a multitude of Nieces and Nephews Pallbearers are: John David Reed, Anthony Tedford, Mitchell Beard, Jackson Beard, Bruce Simpson and Jeremy Bandre..

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kevin Cuthbertson officiating. Visitation is from 12:30 PM until time for the service. Immediately following the service, internment beside the love of her life, Johnny, will be held at Friendship Cemetery.

The family would like to express our thanks to the staff at Windsor Place for their loving care of Helen. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 3000 Bluecutt Road, Columbus, MS 39705 or the charity of your choice.

Proverbs 31:31” Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

The livestream for Helen's service will be at the following link, the livestream will begin shortly before the service. 

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=7e36b52e-de7b-4163-801a-1762582e8d41