Dorothy M. Reed

Dorothy M. Reed was born on August 28, 1927 in Wellington, Kansas. She was the youngest of three children born to wheat farmers, George A. and Ethel (Kellogg) Hunt. While attending Phillips University in Enid Oklahoma, where she majored in religious education, Dorothy met James R. Reed and they were married on March 21, 1948. After serving as a pastor’s wife for congregations in Oklahoma and Texas, Dorothy moved with Jim and their four daughters to Indianapolis in 1964. They divorced in 1971 but remained close friends until his death. Fiercely independent, she never remarried. As an excellent seamstress, having made clothes for herself, family and friends since her youth, Dorothy used her sewing skills to find employment at Custom Drapery Service after her divorce. She eventually became a partner in the business. Dorothy was an active member at Downey Ave. Christian Church after moving to Indianapolis in 1964. At Downey, she had served as a Sunday school teacher, elder, chair of the worship committee, and leader of a church women’s fellowship group. She also demonstrated her life-long love of music by singing in the Downey choir until her macular degeneration made it impossible for her to read the music. In addition to having a passion for music and attending the Indianapolis Symphony as a season ticket holder for years, she enjoyed sewing, being in nature, camping, gardening, reading, and walking. To satisfy her love of learning, she looked forward to traveling with friends to attend the Chautauqua Institution in New York for a week or two every summer. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, making Sunday lunch for her family every week until she was 90 years old. Dorothy passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 27, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Ethel Hunt, her brother, Arthur K. Hunt and sister, Margaret Stromquist, two nephews, one niece and three granddaughters. She is survived by her four daughters, Bethel Wentz (David), Carol Sircoulomb (Wayne), Georgann Adams (Dan), Laura Gelarden (Tim), eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two nephews and three nieces. A memorial service will be held at Downey Ave. Christian Church, 111 S. Downey Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219, on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Church Foundation (Dorothy M. Reed Permanent Fund), PO Box 1007, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1007 or to Downey Ave. Christian Church.

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Dorothy M. Reed

August 28, 1927 - July 27, 2023