April 12, 2023, 85, Goldsboro –

Elease joined her heavenly family on Wednesday, April 12th after a courageous fight with cancer.

Born September 21, 1937, to Inez Langston Keen and John Lealon “Buck” Keen on the family farm in the Jordan’s Chapel community where she joined her older sisters, Gennie and Loree.  Their family was completed several years later with the addition of their baby brother J.L.  She grew up on the farm as part of an extended family that focused on an honest work ethic, love, and the joy of learning. Elease was a proud member of the Grantham graduating class of 1955 whose reunions she looked forward to each year on Father’s Day weekend.  In 1959, she completed her degree in Business from Mt. Olive Junior College, followed by a career with Sears.

But one event during her senior year changed the course of her life.  She went on an arranged double date with a cocky young airman, Gene Reed who became her husband and the love of her life.  Together they raised three children, Pam, Doug, and John.  Her later years were spent in Leesburg, Georgia tending her yard and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who could always count on grandma for warm support and words of advice.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Inez and Buck Keen, her sister Geneverette Keen Ondilla, and her husband, Gene Earl Reed.

Surviving her are her sister, Loree Keen, and her brother and sister-in-law, Diana and John Keen.  Her children, are Pamela and John Ball, Tara and Douglas Reed, Lainey, and John Reed.  Grandchildren – Amanda and Hunter Gates, Ashley and Ryan Simpson, Melinda and Jesse Reed, Maggie Lewis, Katelyn, and Cole Reed.  And her special babies, her Great-grandchildren – Branson Gates, Paisley Reed, Ryland Gates, Hayden Lewis, Everley Reed, Amelia Reed, Melainey Reed, and Reed Simpson. 

The family would like to thank the wonderful Hospice team led by Nurse Sylvia Brown who took such good care of her with great compassion.

A visitation for family and friends wIll be held at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home on Saturday from 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held Sunday at 2:00 pm at Wayne Memorial Park in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family and online condolences may be sent to via www.shumate-faulk.com