Rev Kay Reed

Reverend Cynthia Kay Reed of Brenham Texas went to be with the Lord Thursday October 19th at her home in Brenham with family and loved ones around her.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 2nd beginning at 8 a.m. with family present from 5-7 p.m at Brenham Memorial Chapel. On Friday November 3rd there will be a graveside service at Masonic Cemetery in Chappell Hill at 1:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. and reception at First United Methodist Church, Brenham. Services will be officiated by Rev. Derrell Patterson.

Kay was born July 10, 1952, in Amarillo Texas, the daughter of Carl and Marjorie Reed. She was the oldest of three siblings.

Kay was beautiful, strong, determined and incredibly talented. She loved to sing, play guitar, lead Bible studies, preach the Gospel, counsel members of her various churches, visit the sick at hospitals and at homes, and perform for others.

At a very young age Kay felt the pull to be in church. Soon Kay was involved in church camp, mission trips, lay witness missions and youth services. It was during her high school years that she felt a call to full-time Christian service, inspired by Rev. Wesley Daniel under whose leadership she gave her life to Jesus. Her sincerity was illustrated in the fact that she is the only person her brother and sister know who was actually grounded for staying out too late at Bible study. Upon graduation from Spearman High School in 1970, she attended Amarillo College and later McMurry College. With a passion for music and church and a beautiful singing voice, she earned her Bachelor of Music Education in 1976 at McMurry. While at McMurry Kay was active in many choral groups recording several albums and traveling to many churches to perform. She also served as youth minister and music minister at Clyde UMC.

After graduating from McMurry, Kay spent the next eleven years in music ministry serving Methodist churches in Childress, Lubbock, and Littlefield. Following her call to pastoral ministry she moved on to attend seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where she earned a Master of Divinity degree. Upon graduation and ordination, she began a career as one of the first women ministers in the Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church. She gave a lifetime of ministry to God and the UMC serving churches in Lubbock, Meadow, Ropesville, Earth, Colorado City, Albany, Moran, Tulia, and Brenham. Everyone who knew her has been enriched by her life and ministry. She was beloved by the people she served.

Kay’s numerous health issues began in her early 20’s. And despite numerous doctors advising her to pursue an easier, less stressful career, she never let her pain and discomfort get in the way of serving her parishioners. Kay has now been set free from the body that had caused so much pain for almost 50 years.

While Kay certainly loved the people to whom she ministered, she also deeply loved her 4-legged companions that brightened her life over the years - Nicholas and Noel. Noel and Kay both passed away within the same hour. Her beloved puppies came running to greet her as she entered into Heaven.

The family wishes to express our appreciation to all the members of the Brenham community who prayed for Kay, visited Kay, sent food or cards, and ministered to Kay in her final months. We especially want to recognize Kandie Cross and the staff of Brazos Valley Hospice for their loving and compassionate service.

Kay is preceded in death by her mother. She is survived by her father Carl Reed of Wimberley, Brother Steve Reed and wife Donna of Cedar Hill, Sister Kim Westbrook and husband Ron of Wimberley, Niece Katy Westbrook of Fischer, Nephew Daniel Reed and his wife Suzanne of Montgomery and Grand Niece Genevieve Reed of Montgomery. She is also survived by her Aunt Carolyn Wright and numerous cousins.

For those that wish, memorial donations may be directed to Animal Friends of Washington County, 3901 Hwy 36 N, Brenham, Tx 77833.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Tx 77833 979-836-3611. Share condolences at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.