Evelyn Lavelle Reed

Evelyn Lavelle Hilley Reed was born on August 10, 1929, and died on March 22, 2026, at the age of 96. She lived a very long, rich life surrounded by a large family who loved her. She was a sweet, generous, and intelligent person who loved music, playing both the guitar and piano. She also loved the beach, skiing in Colorado, delighted in visiting museums, and enjoyed cooking, traveling, reading a good mystery novel, and teaching her family about investing and making plans for the future. The latter was especially important to her as she grew up on a farm in Dallas, helping to raise her four younger siblings, and milking her cows, Jersey and Pug, before heading to school each day. She would often recall eating whatever came from the garden or whatever her father hunted and brought home.

Evelyn graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1946 and left home to learn bookkeeping from her aunt and uncle. Little did she know that this skill would come in handy when she met her future husband, Bill Reed. Together they created a thriving business, Bill Reed Decorations, Inc. For 36 years they decorated Dallas parties and balls, designed restaurants and showrooms at World Trade Centers across the country, and decorated many malls across Texas, and even one in England, with Christmas decor. Bill and Evelyn were married for 63 years. After retirement, the two traveled the world together and loved spending time with their family at the beach or at their home in Granbury. Evelyn was a loving mom and grandma with a passion for learning new things, reveling in passing along new facts and stories. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her love of life and her ever-present laughter.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Mark Edward Reed and wife Sara; daughter, Connie Reed Calvin and husband Chris; son, David Neal Reed and wife Irene; daughter, Carol R. Kistner and husband Darrin; grandchildren, Patrick Reed, Emily R. Chavers, Daniella Reed, Benjamin Reed, Natalie Pomroy, Jessica Irvin, Chase Harper, April Cuellar, Bonnie Reed, Taylor Reed, Katie Skeen, Sarah Reed, Joshua Kistner, and William Kistner; with their respective spouses and 22 great grandchildren.