Frances Reed

Frances Katherine Harper Reed died on January 24, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. at the age of 93. She is survived by her son Scott E. Reed and wife Delphine P. Reed of Lilburn, GA; her daughter Katherine D. Reed and husband R. Craig Henderson of Atlanta, GA; her son David. R. Reed and wife Elizabeth Shammash of Philadelphia, PA; her grandchildren: Steven Reed and wife Heather Reed of Denver, CO; Courtney Reed of Santa Barbara, CA; Jeffrey Reed of Lilburn, GA; Peden Katherine Henderson Two Elk of Atlanta, GA; Liam Reed Henderson of Decatur, GA; and two great-grandchildren; as well as her dear family friend, Darlene Davis of Riverdale, GA.

She is preceded in death by her husband Edsel J. Reed; her brothers Richard and Charles Harper; her nieces Tammy Harper and Karen Harper McMichael as well as numerous friends and extended family.

Frances was born in Conyers, GA to Victor Earl Harper and Willie Katherine Garvin Harper of Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Conyers High School in 1946, and from University of Georgia with a degree in education. She married Edsel J. Reed in 1955, and lived briefly in Chappaqua, NY and Maplewood, NJ, before settling in Atlanta, GA. She taught at Cook Elementary School in Atlanta, GA and at Hawthorne Elementary School in DeKalb County.

Frances was an active and devout member of Shallowford Presbyterian Church, and was an avid traveler who valued education and relished reading and learning. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, and her kindness to children was legendary.

A private burial will be handled by A. S. Turner & Sons of Decatur, with a memorial service to be held at a later date. This notice will be updated when arrangements are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Frances H. Reed to the NEA Foundation, a national nonprofit founded by educators, whose mission is to promote the best in public education, at www.neafoundation.org.