Dorothy Lewis Reed

Dorothy Jeanne Lewis Reed, age 100, died peacefully at her home on September 27, 2024. She was born on July 14, 1924 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Colonel Earle Leslie Lewis and Myrtle Ewing Lewis, the youngest of four children. Dorothy graduated from Rapid City High School in 1942 and she obtained a BS degree in Business Administration in 1946 from the University of South Dakota, where she became a member of Alpha Phi International Sorority.

She married Dr. Holley William Reed on December 1, 1948 in Rapid City, South Dakota. They moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1951, and became active members of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Amarillo. They arrived with daughter, Marilyn, and soon welcomed daughters, Courtney and Kathryn. The girls view Dorothy as their role model in being a loving wife, a devoted mom and grandmother, and an energetic volunteer in her community; and a source of tremendous inspiration through a life well lived as a respected, faithful, caring individual. 

Dorothy was passionate about volunteering, helping and teaching others. In 1961, she was one of four women who founded the Amarillo Republican Women’s Club and served twice as president, working on countless local, state and national campaigns. In 1977, she was named as one of the 10 Outstanding Republican Women in Texas by the Texas Federation of Republican Women. ARW received State and National recognition in 1983 for the Children’s Fingerprinting project Dorothy started. She was recognized and honored as a Pioneer Republican of the Texas Panhandle in 2016. Dorothy was also a founder and president of the Amarillo Chapter of Alpha Phi Alumnae, co-founder and president of the local chapter of Panhellenic Council, and member and vice president of Amarillo Chapter of American Association of University Women. As an active adult Girl Scout member, she volunteered for over 20 years, serving as Leader (for her daughters), Committee Chairman, Board Member and Trainer. Dorothy was awarded the “Thanks” badge in 1975, the highest adult award in Girl Scouts. Dorothy was active in the Amarillo Medical Auxiliary, supporting her husband’s medical career and many worthwhile projects. She also volunteered with the AISD literacy program, HOSTS (help one student to succeed). Upon its opening, she volunteered as the Discovery Center coordinator as well as serving as one of their Board VP. Dorothy, as a breast cancer survivor, assisted The American Cancer Society’s Reach for Recovery as a volunteer trainer and participated in many Races for the Cure, decked out in pink, with family members and fellow survivors.

Dorothy and Holley, with their young family enjoyed water skiing in the summers, snow skiing in the winters, traveling to National Parks and visiting extended family. Later, Dorothy and Holley traveled internationally, many times with friends, visiting England, Ireland, Paris, Spain, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii, taking a bus tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and cruising the Panama Canal, Alaskan waterways, and the Rhine River from Germany to Amsterdam. They loved hosting many family and friend gatherings in their favorite place, Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Dorothy and Holley liked to entertain and welcomed friends and family into their home often. Dorothy was a great cook and holiday meals were grand. She was a gracious lady (unless you were her opponent at the bridge table) and we are all better for having had her friendship and love.

Deciding to leave dishes and yard work behind, the Reeds moved into The Craig Senior Living Community in 2017. Dorothy continued her love of meeting and greeting all, and found new friends for Rummikub games, Bingo and Ice Cream Socials. She will be missed by all who knew her, as the sweet person who was cheerful and always had a smile on her face. 

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Holley William Reed; and by her parents; her two brothers, Robert Earle Lewis, William Clarence Lewis; her sister, Marilyn Grace Lewis Soderquist; a nephew, John Soderquist; and a great nephew Philip Soderquist. 

Dorothy is survived by three daughters, Marilyn (Gary) Trook of Amarillo, TX, Courtney Bryan of Houston, TX and Kathryn (Steve) Clark of Littleton, CO; seven grandchildren, Jason (Stephanie) Trook of Lubbock, TX, Janet (Jody) Morris of Amarillo, TX, Karen (Jerrod) Copeland of Joshua, TX, Michael (Lindsey) Trook of Mansfield, TX, Barrett Bryan of Magnolia, TX, Jennifer (Mac) Cassin of Boulder, Co, and Matt (Colleen) Clark of Denver, CO; nine great grandchildren, Wesley (Elizabeth), Meredith, Emma, Jacob, Jadon, Jesse, Jace, Paxton and Grayson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church of Amarillo or the American Cancer Society

.