Jean Stillwell Reed

Jean Stillwell Reed of Marietta, Georgia passed away at the age of 96 on July 21, 2023. Mrs. Reed, wife of the late Dr. R. Glenn Reed, Jr., was a longtime resident of Marietta, where her husband was a dentist and industrial developer. Daughter of the late William R. Stillwell and Eva Fulton Stillwell, she was born and raised in Covington, Georgia along with her sisters, the late Adelaide Stillwell and the late Beth Stillwell Barron of Marietta and her brother, the late William R. Stillwell, Jr., of Milledgeville, Georgia. Born on September 8, 1926, Jean attended school in Covington and went on to attend Emory University Academy in Oxford, Georgia. It was there that she met her future husband, Glenn Reed of Acworth, Georgia. At the young age of eighteen, Jean left Covington to take a job in Washington, D.C., working for the U.S. Army Signal Corp at Arlington Hall Station as a cryptographer during World War II. There, she took pencil and paper and used captured Japanese code books to decode messages that would reveal enemy battle plans and targets. Her position as a decoder was top secret, and she could not tell anyone about what she was doing until after the war ended. The work that decoders like Jean performed had a significant impact on the success of U.S. troops in the Pacific and helped the U.S. and its allies to victory in World War II. After the war, Jean put aside her plans for a medical career in order to marry Glenn and support him through dental school. They soon moved to Marietta to raise their family of three girls. Glenn opened his dental practice, and Jean became involved in many charitable and social activities. She served as president of the Cobb Marietta Junior League and was later a member of the Honeysuckle Garden Club and several bridge groups. The family joined First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, where Jean continued to attend services late into her life. Jean also spent much of her time supporting Glenn with his numerous Kiwanis Club activities and positions held in Marietta. She later traveled the world with him, serving as First Lady of Kiwanis during his term as International President of Kiwanis in 1966–1967. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always took great joy in being with family and friends, and cherished the time she spent hosting them in her home. Jean is predeceased by her parents, sisters, brother and husband as well as two of her daughters, Glenda Reed Delaney of Pensacola, Florida and Susan Reed Laubacher of Marietta. She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Reed Nelson (Dan) of Big Canoe, Georgia; her son-in-law Chuck Laubacher; her grandson, Ben Carpenter (Asheley) of McDonough; and her granddaughters, Allison Laubacher Pearson (Stuart) of Carrollton and Caroline Laubacher Simpkins (Chris) of Marietta. She is also survived by great grandchildren Lexi Pickell of Mankato, Minnesota; Hayden, Ian and Mallie Carpenter of McDonough; and Charlotte and Reed Pearson of Carrollton. Heartfelt gratitude also goes to her devoted and loving caregiver, Lydiah Njoroge. Arrangements are being handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, followed by visitation with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Jean Stillwell Reed

September 8, 1926 - July 21, 2023