Mary Ellen Reed was born January 17, 1954, in Haynes, Arkansas.  She was the daughter of Le'Roy Reed and Sarah Willis and stepdaughter of Werdley B. Willis.  She was the fourth of seven children.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Werdley B. and Sarah Willis; one brother, Kenneth Willis; a brother-in-law, Eddie Lee Humphrey and maternal grandparents, Will and Allie V. Nesbitt.

She gave her life to Christ at an early age at True Vine Baptist Church. She was a member of Haven of Rest Baptist Church.  Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972.  She attended Penn Valley Community College.  Mary worked for the Kansas City School District for ten years.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Jackie Reed; grandchildren, Jocelyn, Jada, Jaden and Justice; great-grandchildren, Ja'Markus and Ja'Mir; father, Le'Roy Reed; brother, Willie (Gwen) Ford; sisters, Carolyn Williams both of Milwaukee, WI, Susan (Sonny) Scroggins of Topeka, KS and Debra Willis of KC, MO; her close friends, Annette Hicks and Carolyn Knight and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services for Ms. Reed were private.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .