Lillie Kay Reed
Lillie Kay Reed, 74, of Clinton left us far too soon on Monday, May 11, 2026.
A graduate of Clinton High School’s Class of 1969, she went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert, in 1971. For more than three decades, Lillie Kay shaped young minds and hearts as an educator with Anderson County Schools and Clinton City Schools.
She was a huge part of her family’s lives and her entire community. Lillie Kay was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton. She served in the church’s food pantry, where she did what she loved most: caring for people. She truly was the hands and feet of Jesus. Helping others was her passion, and she always put others before herself. Lillie Kay loved people, and they loved her.
Anyone who knew Lillie Kay knew she had a gift for lighting up a room and making everyone around her feel seen, loved and valued.
Lillie Kay was most at home in the kitchen. No recipe cards were needed and no measuring cups were required. She cooked with her heart, creating meals that brought family and friends together.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren David “Dago” Foust and Mary Josephine Webber Foust; sister, Bertha Lou Foust; granddaughter, Makenzie Starr Reed; nephew, Jonathan Lamar Rhyne; mother-in-law, Evelyn Louise Freels Reed; and father-in-law, Robert Wayne Reed Sr.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert Wayne Reed Jr.; children, Chrystal Reed (Johnny) and Austin Reed; grandson, Johnathan “Bishop” Reed (Emily); sisters, Mary Lee Foust Cotter (Mike) and Janie Yerkes Cochran (John); sister-in-law, Betty Reed Lyons (Charlie Lyons); nieces, Becky Lyons Lively (Chris) and Betsy Lyons Longmire (Mark); nephew, Joseph Landon Rhyne (Christy); and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 323 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is serving the Reed family.
holleygamble.com
