Audrey Marie Reed, age 89 years, of Bradenton, FL, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at Magnolia on the Avenue Care Center, Bradenton, FL, with her daughter, Rev. Pamela Reed, and her son, Robert Brent Reed and his wife, Carol, by her side.
Born in Trenton, NJ, November 5, 1931, daughter of the late W. Ross and Marion Sexton Marjarum, Audrey was raised and lived most of her life in Hamilton Square, NJ. After her husband’s death, she moved to Mercerville, NJ, and then to Flemington, NJ with her daughter. In 2015 she moved to an assisted living in Bradenton, Florida near her son.
A 1950 graduate of Hamilton High School West, Audrey loved being a stay-at-home mom until she became the transportation secretary for the Hamilton Board of Education where she was well regarded by her colleagues.
Faith and family were at the forefront of all Audrey did in life. Meeting her future husband, Robert Paul Reed (Bob), in high school when they were both 15 years old, the couple fashioned a life based on faith, hope, and love.
Audrey was a true ‘Mom’ in every sense of the word. She had a very nurturing personality. She always ensured her family, and of course their friends, were well fed. She also enjoyed sewing clothing and just being there for them however she was able. She enjoyed the family times at the beach, camping and fishing.
She wanted her children to be well educated and to have a value system that respected and treated all people equally. In fact, she worked so hard for so long because she wanted to ensure her daughter and son would be afforded a higher education. She was so proud to see them each graduate college and become successful, contributing members of society. Both Pam and Brent credit their parents with helping provide them with a good foundation and sense of security in this world.
She, of course, was very happy when her children enabled her to ‘graduate’ to the role of ‘Nana Audrey’ to her five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Audrey and Bob were longtime members of Hamilton Square Baptist Church, the same church where they were wed on September 20, 1952. They attended services faithfully each Sunday, and Audrey also taught Sunday School and was a member of the Woman’s Group.
Though the last several years were difficult health wise for Audrey, she continued to live and set the example she had done for so many years by practicing the ideals found in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the Saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”
Audrey would want all reading this to take comfort in knowing she is home with her Creator who guided her during life. She is now reunited with her cherished Bob and all those who have gone before to prepare a place for that time when we join them, in light and in love.
In her Bible, Pam found these words, saved by Audrey from a study group…a bit of final advice from Audrey, “Grace and Peace! Grace is something that comes to us which we don’t deserve. Peace is something that happens within us which is not any way affected by our external circumstances. With grace from above and peace within, who wouldn’t have cause for rejoicing?”
In addition to her parents, Audrey was preceded in death by her beloved Bob on December 17, 2004.
Surviving are her daughter, the Rev. Pamela Reed; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert Brent Reed and Carol Reed; her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and William Guest; her grandchildren, Ryan Levering and his wife, Terrill; Kimery Levering, PhD.; Christina and her husband, Matt Beers; Michelle and her husband, Adam Lytton; and Jennifer Reed; her great grandchildren, Calvin and Alice Levering and Lia, Tessa and Juliana Reed; several extended family members; and many dear friends.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Flemington Baptist Church, 170 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.
Funeral services will follow the gathering at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. and all are welcome.
Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ, will be private.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.
You are encouraged to visit Audrey’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.
Memorial contributions in Audrey’s honor and memory may be made to the Flemington Baptist Church, via mail to 170 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 or online by clicking HERE.
____________________________
Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”