Debra "Debbie" Jean Reed

Debbie Jean Reed, daughter of Floyd and Shirley Reed of Steelville, Missouri; sister of Denny (Janine) Ballwin, Missouri and many cousins and friends, passed away in Cuba, Manor at Cuba, Missouri, Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the age of 62 years, 2 months and 2 days.

Debbie was born January 5, 1962 in Poplar Bluff, MO, 50 miles South of where her parents had been raised and where her grandparents, the late Ray (Rose) Reed, Fred (Hattie) Berry and Aunt Arbeta and Uncle Phillip lived.

In 1967, Debbie started kindergarten at the First Baptist Church in Steelville. While still in school, she placed her faith in Jesus Christ and became a member of the Steelville Baptist Church, where she was active in Vacation Bible School, the nursery, choir and Young People’s Training Union. She really enjoyed singing solos for weddings.

Following graduation from Steelville  High School, Debbie was employed by Brown Shoe CO of Steelville, followed by her working in the Clayton office of Brown Shoe. After attending Reusing Academy in St. Louis, she opened her own beauty shop where she made life-long friends. Even after a 1984 car accident removed her natural mobility and placed her in a wheelchair, her spirit continued to soar. Her employment included The Steelville Star and becoming a caseworker for the DCAI. Her love for the outdoors led to her boating, bonfire, four-wheeling and falling in love with animals too numerous to mention. When indoors, she enjoyed reading, cooking, baking and crafting.  As Debbie’s health continued to deteriorate and her physical strength declined, she became a nail tech where she opened her own shop in her home. When diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in  2008 and no longer able to care for herself, Gibbs Care Center became her home where she unconsciously focused on kindness and love for others. Consequently, as she focused on kindness and love for others, this resulted in her being a sought-after leader of others, while helping them chart a way forward. Loss, grief and hardship made her more understanding of others plight, more open-hearted and more fearless in life.

Debbie will be remembered as a strong, independent and determined woman who constantly demonstrated concern for the welfare of others.

In addition to her parents, brother, cousins and friends, her special friend and cousin, Patricia E. Allen of Springfield remain to mourn her loss.

The Family received friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Monday, March 11, 2024 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.

Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024 with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating and Cousin Patricia E. Allen reading the eulogy. Special music of “How Great Thou Art”, “Amazing Grace” and “It is Well With My Soul” was sung by Bryan Taylor and Rev. Jerry Beers with Jan Weisel on piano.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Kevin Smith, Alan Grayson, John Tolly, Terry England, Ben Martin and Shelley Turnbough with Virginia Mae Halbert, Linda Hodge, LaDonna English, Sharon England and Nina Blansett as honorary.

The Reed Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville.

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