Linda Yvonne Reed, born May 22, 1948 to Keith William Kepler and Nettie Marie Kepler (Tubbs) in Junction City, Kansas while her father was stationed at Fort Riley, took her flight into the arms of the Lord on July 1, 2020. She is survived by husband Gary Claude Reed of Columbia, Missouri; siblings Patricia Renee Medeiros (Ron) of Pascoag, Rhode Island, and Richard Cleveland Kepler (Sayuri) of Ashikaga City, Japan; her sons Deron Bradford Reed (Vercinia) of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Lance Anthony Reed (Amanda) of Erie, Colorado; daughter Renee Claudette Reed-Miller (Troy) of Columbia, Missouri; foster daughter Donna Lynn Nichols (Brent) and foster son David Christenson of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Jaden Chloe Reed, Elias Bailey Reed, and Wilder Grey Reed; as well as her foster grandchildren Jack Nichols (Megan), Christopher Nichols (Hazel), David Nichols (Cindy), and Amy Ingels (Jordan); and foster great-grandchildren Adrienne, Rhoswen, Avelyn, Lillian, and Aluna.
During her life, Linda authored ten teaching booklets, composed over 100 songs, and became an accomplished pianist and singer. She played in front of royalty and other foreign dignitaries, taught keyboard at Apostolic Bible School in St. Paul, Minnesota, and tutored numerous people over several decades as a private music teacher.
Linda married Gary on August 17, 1968 and they spent their entire married life in ministry; serving as church-planters in Wyoming, evangelizing across the United States, and ministering throughout the Middle East while residing in Amman, Jordan, for 37 years. As an ordained Pentecostal minister, Linda was an international speaker and preacher, ministering and teaching in seminars throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle & Near East, as far as Ethiopia. While her husband served as overseer of churches across the Middle East, Linda assumed the primary pastoral role for multiple churches in Jordan, simultaneously, and ministered often in Palestine and Israel. She loved the residents and the region of Christ.
As mentor to numerous people who came to assist in ministry, Linda was known for her generous heart and compassion for people. She truly NEVER met a stranger. She regularly counseled several of her ministry peers who would periodically call for advice and comfort. Countless lives have been impacted by her personal burden for ministry, and her wider vision for compassion services in the world. She showered charity and goodwill on refugees, survivors of domestic violence, homeless citizens, fatherless children, and affluent folks, alike. No one was beneath her; she lived out the concept of service above self.
Linda will be dearly missed by her family, who loved her as Sister, Wife, Mom, and Grandma; and by her extended global ministry family who referred to her as Mentor, Sister, Mother in the Faith, Treasured Friend, and Woman of God!
Due to current travel restrictions and health concerns, the family has elected to hold a small private ceremony that will remain closed to the public, intending to have a memorial service once this can be done safely for all present.
In lieu of flowers, Linda’s family gratefully suggests gifts toward her caregiving, funeral and burial costs, via PayPal to [email protected] .
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy are genuinely welcomed and may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.12.1