Obituary of Karen Lynne Reed

Karen Lynne (Shaver) Reed, 60, unexpectedly yet peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Ruby Memorial Hospital surrounded by close family and friends. She was born on March 25, 1965, the daughter of the late John Mezger and Twila Jean Toothman Shaver. Karen was preceded in death by her husband in September of 2021, Thomas Roderick Reed, the love of her life. She is survived by her loving son, Johnny Reed, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Fairmont; her brother, Robert Shaver, of Southern Pines, NC; her brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Tina Reed, of Fairmont; her niece, Taylor Mancini, and her husband, Braden, of Fairmont; and her great-niece, Emma Mancini, her dear uncle, Otis Shaver of Fairmont, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many close friends. Karen is also survived by many of Johnny’s closest friends, who became like family over the years, as well as her loyal dog, Jethro, and her grand-puppy, Gus. In addition to her parents and husband, Karen was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Margaret Ann Springer Reed and Walter Scott Reed Jr. Karen graduated with the Class of 1983 from East Fairmont High School. She was a steadfast Christian by faith, a longtime member of Gateway United Methodist Church, and more recently an active member of Fairmont First Church of the Nazarene. Karen worked as an optician for Vision Health Care and MyEyeDr. in Fairmont, with over 30 years of dedicated service. Karen’s greatest joy in life was being a wife and mother. No son ever had a better mother. She poured her heart into her family and created a home filled with love, laughter, and warmth. Her kindness, compassion, and selflessness left a lasting impact on everyone she met. To know Karen was to love her, and having her in our lives was a true blessing we will carry in our hearts forever. If there was anything Karen was even better at than being a mother, it was being a loyal and devoted wife to her beloved husband, Tommy. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., and again on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. A funeral service will be held for Karen on Saturday at 11 a.m., with Reverend Andy Newman and Reverend Larry Buckland officiating. Following the service, a graveside committal will take place at Clermont Cemetery in Fairmont. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com