Joy Reed

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joy Forsythe Reed, a devoted mother and wife, beloved member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and esteemed public health nursing executive, on Monday, May 27th.

Born on July 25, 1948, in Henderson, NC, Joy embarked on a journey that would lead her to profoundly impact countless lives through her work in public health nursing. She earned her nursing degree from Duke University in 1970, where she distinguished herself with her academic excellence and a deep-seated passion for community health.

Joy began her career in Alamance County, where she quickly became known for her tireless work ethic and empathetic approach to patient care. Her early experiences solidified her commitment to public health, inspiring her to further her education and specialize in community health nursing. After receiving her Masters in Public Health, Joy devoted her time to educating others, teaching nursing at Atlantic Christian College and Queens College. She later received her Doctorate in Education from NC State.

Throughout her career, Joy worked with various public health organizations, including the North Carolina Nurses Association and the State of North Carolina, where she served as the Director of Public Health Nursing and Professional Development. Joy received numerous awards for her contributions to public health, including the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship, the American Academy of Nursing Fellowship, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. One of Joy's most cherished honors was the establishment of a scholarship program in her name by the NCPHA nursing section to assist public health nurses with continuing education.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Joy was a devoted spouse to her husband Bill, a loving mother to her children Scott, Keri, and Beth, and grandmother to Charlotte and Julia. She is also survived by a host of friends and colleagues who will forever remember her for the positive impact she had on their lives.

A celebration of Joy's life and contributions was held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7000 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27613.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Joy F. Reed Scholarship, continuing Joy’s legacy of service and commitment to nursing education. Please send checks payable to the North Carolina Public Health Association, 222 N Person St Ste. #208, Raleigh, NC 27601

Be sure to add "Joy F Reed Scholarship" to the memo line of the check.