Leona Lavern (Beals) Reed

Leona Lavern Reed, 90, of Arkansas City, KS passed away Thursday, May 27, 2021.

Graveside services will be held at 10 A.M. Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Hope Cemetery in Arkansas City, KS. No visitation is scheduled. Memorial contributions may be made to Kindred Hospice, donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City.

Leona was born in Washington County, Tennessee to parents Victor Eugene and Nellie Geneve (Poore) Beals. The family later moved to Geuda Springs, KS where she graduated as valedictorian in 1949. Leona was known for her singing while in high school. She regularly led the national anthem, sang at all school events, and on KSOK radio. After high school attended Wichita Business college. Leona married Lee Parker in 1952, after his passing she married Paul Reed in 1956. Leona worked at the Ark City Clinic for 37 years as the bookkeeper and collection agent.

She enjoyed painting in her younger years and more recently taking pictures of old homesteads and barns. She was a wonderful gardener and grew flowers of all kind.
Leona is survived by her daughter Susan Johnson (Ky), son Kenny Reed, grandchildren: Greg Reed (Jennifer), Melissa Oetting (Brad), Daniel Johnson and numerous great-grandchildren; sisters in law Linda Hover (Rod), Doris Arey (Glen), and Joann Bazil.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, parents, daughter Teresa Parker Byers, great-grandson Gracyn Oetting; daughter in law Patty Reed; and siblings: Edgar Beals, Wilsie Chitwood and Virginia Beals.

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