Linda Reed, 79, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
She was born Sept. 19, 1946. She graduated from Mt. Sterling High School in 1965, where she played clarinet in the orchestra and twirled as a majorette for the Mt. Sterling marching band. Music was always part of her life. She sang with a quartet in high school and later sang with her family on the radio on Sunday afternoons and as guest singers in churches. She attended Eastern Kentucky University and Morehead State University, eventually majoring in paralegal studies. She worked hard throughout her life and never shied away from a job. Over the years, she worked in a frozen French fry factory, sold and delivered office supplies and commercial typewriters, served as a substitute teacher, worked at Community Trust Bank (where she met her future husband, H.G. Reed), and ultimately spent 25 years as a paralegal with Angela Patrick, Attorney at Law, before retiring. No matter the job, she carried pride in her work and passed along a strong work ethic to her son, Jim. Her own family began with the birth of her only son, Jim, in the winter of 1969 in Grand Forks, N.D. Later, when Jim married and adopted a son, she happily became a Nan. Jerrod instantly became the apple of her eye, and she proudly followed him from little league baseball through nuclear medicine school graduation. Jerrod and his wife, Morgan, made her a great-grandmother with the birth of their son, Theo, in December of 2024. The last ten years of her life were spent living with Jim and her granddaughter, Serena Raine. She treasured that time deeply. Being “Nan” was one of her favorite roles, and she adored Serena. They loved shopping, cooking, creating art, and talking about Serena’s day and her dreams. She was an excellent artist, a gift she inherited from her mother and proudly passed down to Jim and Serena. Three easels now sit in their home studio. She also knew how to enjoy life. From raucous weekends at her sister’s house, to decadent beach vacations with friends and family, to traveling the world, she got to see and do so much. Her laughter filled the air, everywhere she went. She loved sports of all kinds, especially University of Kentucky basketball, which she coached passionately from her chair and from the bleachers at Rupp Arena. She followed golf, football, tennis, and faithfully watched both summer and winter Olympics every year. She was pure love. She was kind to everyone, welcomed everyone, and made time for everyone. She loved to entertain, always ready to add another chair at the table, always laughing, often at herself, and always smiling. Her house was full of warmth, food, stories, joy, and laughter. She would listen and she would freely give you her most precious asset, time. She would make time for you and the only thing she would want in return, was a hug. She loved hugs. Her faith and community were also important to her. She frequently attended First Christian Church in Mt. Sterling with her sister, Cathy, participating in services, women’s activities, bunco nights, dinners, picnics, painting, needlepoint, baking for neighbors, and especially the Fat Tuesday chili supper, where she never arrived without dessert. Wherever she went, she was the life of the gathering. The last months of her life were especially sweet. She spent treasured time with her sister, reminiscing and visiting with friends. She also spent extended stays in Tennessee with one of her best friends, Marta Dean “Mert,” where the two played gin rummy nonstop for hours each day, carefully keeping score sheets they saved forever and laughing over college days. At home, she found a new best friend in Jim’s partner, Shafika. Shafika would sneak Nan wine, while listening to her tell every secret she ever knew. The laughter and joy filled the house. She was ready to leave and did so peacefully, knowing her family was strong and happy. She was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She did so well. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her laughter, kindness, and boundless love.
Survivors include her sister, Cathy Whitt; son, James McGuire; grandchildren, Jerrod (Morgan) McGuire and Serena McGuire; great-grandson, Theodore McGuire; step daughters, Susanna (Todd) Whan and Kathy Stodghill; step grandchildren, Emma Redd, Nick Whan, and Sarah and Jack Stodghill; and nephew, Jon (Jennifer) Niemeyer and children, Alex and Ben.
She was preceded in death by her husband, H.G. Reed; grandparents, Edward Toy Sr., Ella Lee Trimble Toy, William Jennings, Bryan Myers and Melvia Frodge Myers; mother, Beulah May Toy; father, Edward Toy Jr.; sister, Gayle Niemeyer; niece, Kelly Niemeyer; and beloved dog, Bogey Reed.
Please send flowers to 629 Brookmede Dr., Mt. Sterling.
