Darby Jane Justis Reed

Darby Jane Justis Reed passed away on her birthday at the age of 86 at her home in Roswell, Georgia with her husband William H. “Bill” Reed by her side. She was born in Greeneville, Tennessee on November 6th, 1937. Mrs. Reed was the daughter of the late Mr. Charles Wayland Justis and Mrs. Dorothy McMahan Justis of Greeneville, Tennessee. She exhibited a strong will to live, an unwavering faith in God, and enjoyed the love and prayers of family and friends.

With a real zest for life, Darby loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. She shared her magnetic personality and loving spirit with everyone she knew. Darby made friends easily and maintained contact with many. She was a real southern lady with incredible charm who made everyone instantly adore her. Her motto was “if one is good, three are better” as evidenced by her house, purse, and car. All were full of more than enough of everything as she never wanted someone to go without.

Darby would tell you that being married to her high school sweetheart and best friend was her greatest joy. She leaves behind a legacy of what a loving and supportive marriage looks like. Darby poured her heart and soul into mothering her twins and was their biggest advocate, cheerleader, and role model.

Her family and friends were her passion. She loved nothing more than to have her family gathered around her dining room table with an abundance of laughs, an incredible menu, and festive decorations. Darby cherished spending time with her grandchildren making arts and crafts, playing cards and games, and supporting them as they became adults.

She was extremely creative with a talent for turning something ordinary into something extraordinary as evidenced by her former jewelry business and memorable parties. Darby lived life to the fullest and never turned down an invitation to go somewhere or help someone. She always was looking forward to the next activity or opportunity.

Mrs. Reed graduated from Greeneville High School in Greeneville, Tennessee. She earned BS and MS degrees from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville. Her major was Child Development and Family Relationships. Additionally, Darby served as Assistant to the Dean of the School of Home Economics. She was initiated into Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, Omicron Chapter (UTK) and served as an active alumnae.

Filled with compassion and interest in others, Darby spent much of her time volunteering. She was active in many capacities at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Monroe, Louisiana. She was a Sunday school teacher and preschool teacher. She and her husband Bill, also steered a campaign in Monroe for teens and young adults, “Too Much, Too Soon.” Darby was a very active member of the Monroe Junior League where she served as the marketing chair for “The Cotton Country Collection,” a widely recognized cookbook. In Atlanta, she (and her husband Bill) was a member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (PRUMC) at which she was a member of the Altar Guild as well as member of its Blazers Sunday School Class.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William H. “Bill” Reed; Sister Vicki Luhowiak of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Her twin children Darby Chardel Reed Ehrhardt (Jonathan) and Charles K. “Chuck” Reed (Katie). Mrs. Reed has four loving grandchildren: Reed Ehrhardt (Kinsey), Caroline Reed Horton (Jack), Kylie Reed, and Kirk Ehrhardt. Mrs. Reed also has nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Charlyne Easterly of Morristown, Tennessee.

Visitation will be available at Roswell Funeral Home located at 950 Mansell Road in Roswell, GA 30075; 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. on November 9th, 2023.

The Celebration of Life will be conducted on Friday, November 10th, 2023 at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church beginning at 11:00 A.M. A brief reception will follow and then interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Roswell.

Memorials are suggested to be sent to PRUMC Altar Guild, PRUMC Blazers Sunday School Class (via PRUMC.org), or the charity of your choice.