Rachel Wall “ Skip” Reed, age 96, of Gainesville passed away Thursday January 27, 2022.
Mrs. Reed was born in Durham, NC to D. S. Wall, Sr. and Beulah Green Pate Wall on August 18, 1925. She attended Peace College before graduating from Duke University with a degree in Nursing. While at Duke, Mrs. Reed was the May Day Queen and there also met her future husband, John H. Reed, Jr., M.D.
After their wedding, Dr. and Mrs. Reed moved to Atlanta, Ga. for his residency in Ophthalmology at Emory University where Mrs. Reed taught Nursing at Emory-Grady Hospital. Along the way her husband, a Navy veteran of two wars, nicknamed his wife "Skipper,"as "the skipper of his ship."
After being stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla. for the Korean War, John and Skip moved to his hometown of Gainesville, Ga. In her adopted hometown of Gainesville, Skip’s busy life as a physician’s wife and mother flourished, beginning with membership at the First Baptist Church in 1954. She followed her husband’s passions to become a devoted Red Elephant and huge Georgia Tech fan. She also attended the Augusta National Masters Golf Tournament for sixty years. Skip, as she became known to one and all in Gainesville and the medical community, was active in the Hospital Auxiliary, the Junior Service League, study club, garden club and bridge club. She became a Brownie Scout Troop leader and grade mother at Candler Street Elementary when her children were there. Skip also taught first and second grade Sunday School students at the First Baptist Church for many years. When Skip served as President of the North East Georgia Hospital Auxiliary, the Love Light Tree began. She worked alongside her eye surgeon husband as a scrub nurse occasionally and worked later in his office, North Georgia Eye Clinic, of Gainesville, Ga. Skip was a founding supporter of the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust.
Determined to stay in her beloved home of 67 years, Skip was helped by live in caregivers whom her family wishes to thank.
Preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, John H.Reed, Jr., M. D., of Gainesville, Ga., her parents and siblings in Durham, NC, Mrs. Reed is survived by her daughter, Donna Reed of Murryville, Ga., her son John H. “Chip” Reed lll, M. D. ( Roberta) of Milton, Ga., her son Tim Reed of Gainesville, Ga., her grandson Scott H. Reed of Atlanta, Ga. and her granddaughter Rachel M. Reed of Denver, Colorado.
A service of prayer and music to the glory of God and in her memory is planned for Saturday, February 5th, 2022 at 3:00 at the First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Ga. The family will receive in the church parlor following the service. There will be a private interment at Alta Vista Cemetery preceding the service.
Those wishing to make contributions may do so in Mrs. Reed’s memory to White Oak Baptist Church, 13943 Buffalo Rd, Clayton, NC 27527.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
