Bishop Erby C. Reed

October 12, 1928 - September 13, 2016

Our Heavenly Savior, Jesus Christ has taken home the most loving man of God, Bishop Erby C. Reed, age 87, father of well known funeral director Bobby Reed, and a resident of Wedgewood Drive in Columbia, previously of Paducah, KY, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the home of his son.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia. A Celebration of  Life Service will be at 7:00PM on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ, Old Benton Road, Paducah with Sister Patricia (Trish) Watson & Bishop Harvey Ray Moore officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the church. The Sunrise Graveside Service will be held on Sunday at 8:00 AM at Oak Grove Cemetery in Ledbetter, KY. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Church of Jesus Christ, 4225 Old Benton Road, Paducah, KY 42003. Heritage Funeral Home of Columbia, TN is assisting the family with arrangements.

This was Bishop Reed’s 60th year as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He and his wife Shirley Ann Freeman Reed pastored The Church of Jesus Christ in Paducah for over 50 years. He served as the former Assistant Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ Association for several years. Beginning their church in the Canaan (Cainyun) of Paducah in 1956… and then later moving the church to its current location on Old Benton Road. One of his proudest moments during his ministry was the completion of the new church building in 2006. Bishop Reed was currently an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ in Centerville, TN, pastored by Bishop Harvey Ray Moore.

Not only did he preach the gospel in the church, but he preached it to everybody that he came in contact with, because he wanted everybody to go to heaven with him. He was a very gifted musician since early on in his life…playing guitar and petal steel guitar with some of the top country musicians and a lot of locally talented musicians.  He was a Duke of Paducah and also retired from the McCracken County Board of Education.

Bishop Reed is survived by his son; Bobby Dale Reed of Columbia, TN, 2 god daughters; Patricia Sallee & Melissa Taber Jones, of Paducah, 1 brother; Alpha Ray Reed (Delores) of Benton, KY, 15 grandchildren; Laurie, David (Regina), Melissa (Wayne), Christopher, Leonard, Adam (Abigal), Taryn, Taylor (Ethen), Josh, Jeffery, Steve, Mark, Christi, Ryan and Renee. 19 great-grandchildren; Dustin, Danielle, Lauren, Hunter, Tyler (Courtney), Kayla, Shelly, Shane, Sabrina, Crystal, Sophira, Gabriel, Izzabella, Zoey, Bryden, Cayden, Brooklyn, Landen and Trinden, 1 great-great grandchild; Peyton Griggs, several nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

His caregiver, Jason Payne can never be recognized enough for the excellent care given to Bishop Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Worthy L. Reed and Flora Thompson Reed, his wife of 53 years; Shirley Ann Freeman Reed,  second wife; Betty Peeler Reed, son; Leonard Ray Reed, grandson;  Thomas Len Reed, brothers; Ervy, Emanuel, Alfred, Marshall,  sisters;  Pauline, Virginia, Elta, Florene.