Leighton Reed

Leighton Reed, age 83 of Shelbyville passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at his residence.Born on Sunday, February 5, 1933 in Manchester, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Oliver and Tennie Lemmons Reed and the brother of Maggie Sue Monce. He received an education in the Haley, Madison Street and Pleasant Grove schools and four years at Shelbyville Central High School where he graduated in 1952.He then joined the United States Navy where he served 4 years as gunner mate aboard the USS Bremington CA-130 from 1952 to 1956. After being discharged from the Navy, he hitch hiked all the way home from Long Beach, California to Shelbyville. He helped his father on the farm and later purchased a 40 acre farm adjoining his father's farm on Knight's Campground Road.He was employed by Empire Pencil Company and was over the box department for 9 1/2 years. He then went to work for Eaton Corporation in Quality Control and was employed there for 30 years from 1965 - 1995. He received an Eaton jacket for 16 years of perfect attendance. Mr. Reed was also employed by the National Walking Horse show as an usher in E - section for 55 years.After retiring from Eaton Corporation, he went to work for Reed's Love-N-Care Preschool and Daycare where he worked for 20 years.In 1959 he met and married Rhonda Russell and they had 4 children together.He is a dedicated member and an Ex - Deacon of the First Christian Church. He has read the bible through 4 times and since 1995 he has traveled all 50 states, 27 countries, visited all islands and been on 5 continents.The Lord blessed him with good health up to the age of 80. He was then diagnosed with Emphysema, COPD and congestive heart failure which led to him being placed on full time oxygen.His bucket list was to be able to see all of his friends and working buddies, to go on an around the world tour, visit all the cemetery's where his relatives were buried so he could leave this family information to his living family members and future generations. He is survived by his wife: Rhonda Reed of Shelbyville, 4 children: LaTresa Barton (Pat) Denise Darnell (Steve) Kim Shreve (Jimmy) and Kevin Reed.He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Misty Reese, Lindy Holland, Kally Darnell, Chance Barton, DeShawn Manley, Katey Darnell and Jordan Reed as well as 5 great grandchildren: Brylee Taite Reese, Annalise Holland, McKinley Holland, Addy Reese and Thaxton Reese.Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister: Maggie Sue Monce.Visitation with the family will be on Friday, June 17, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Gowen-Smith Chapel.Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:00 am from the chapel of Gowen-Smith with Brother Tom Henry and Brother Tom Bierovic officiating.Burial will follow in Willow Mount Cemetery. . SERVICES Funeral Service Saturday, June 18, 2016 10:00 AM

Leighton Reed

February 5, 1933 - June 15, 2016