Cora Gladys Reed, 81, passed from this world Aug. 25, 2007, at her home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, after a long battle with diabetes and more recently, a heart attack and the complications thereof. She was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and was greeted by many loved ones and friends who had gone before her. This was Mom's second and final trip to Heaven, as she told us on the day of the heart attack that she had seen Heaven, and God spoke to her and told her he had wrapped her “in a blanket of gold.”

Born Sept. 7, 1925, in Argillite, Ky., to Sam and Martha Poplin Bays, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Reed; her son, Kenneth Dale Reed; two great-grandchildren, Dallas McKenzie Willey and Letitia Maudine Hightower; brothers, Charles Hubert Bays and Andy Orville Bays; and sister, Mary Leota Bays.

She was a member of Ohio Valley United Baptist Church Of Jesus Christ in Wheelersburg, Ohio, and loved old-time Baptist singing and preaching.

She was an avid seamstress, quilter and enjoyed home cooking, canning, pickling and gardening.

For most of her life, she was a homemaker. She worked as a cook at Crest Children's Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, a job she really enjoyed. She often brought resident children home for holidays so they could enjoy a family atmosphere with her family.

She is survived by her loving children: daughters, Wanda Ann Lawson, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Brenda Sue (Les) Hill, of Lancaster, Ohio, Jennifer “Judy” Lynn (Greg) Chaffin, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, Stella Joyce Reed, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Barbara Evelyn Armenta, of Wheelersburg, Ohio; her son, Phillip Eugene Reed, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, with whom she made her home; and a loving daughter-in-law (deceased son's wife), Susan Reed, of Minford, Ohio.

Also surviving are her sisters, Anna Jane Justice, of Lloyd, Ky., Mildred Marcella Lyons, of South Shore, Ky., Rita Kay (Larry) Brisker, of New Lexington, Ohio, and Linda Carol (Gary) Potts, of Clarksville, Tenn. Brothers surviving are John Andis “Joe” Bays, of Wurtland, Ky., Delbert Richard Bays, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Floyd Oliver Bays, of Horn Lake, Miss. She also is survived by a special sister-in-law, Faye Caseman, of Mansfield, Ohio.

She will be sadly missed by a host of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives she touched in so many special ways.

Funeral services will take place at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, at 1 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Larry Brisker officiating. Calling hours will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday. Please allow family private time from 5 to 6 p.m. Also, viewing will be from noon until the funeral service Tuesday at 1.

Contributions may be made to Gladys' favorite charity, which is Families of SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). P.O. Box 196, Libertyville, IL 60648-0196.

8/28/07