Obituary of Rev. Dr. Murley Reed Jr.

Murley Reed was born November 5, 1937, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Murley Reed and Virgie Lee Wilson Reed. The family later migrated to Missouri. While in Missouri, Murley was briefly educated in the Missouri school system until circumstances cut his education short and he began to work on the family farm to assist the family financially. Although his formal education was minimal, he never stopped learning. His inquisitive nature kept him ever learning and growing. As a young man, Murley moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a cab driver and in steel mills. He was also a self-taught car mechanic, who had the impressive ability of diagnosing problems with a car by simply listening to them. He had a love for cooking, grilling, riding motorcycles and working with his hands. He also had the experience of owning and operating his own restaurant until a tragedy destroyed the building by fire in the early ‘80’s. In 1993, Murley Reed married Ruby Phillips Reed, where he loved and welcomed four additional children into his life. His parents, and six siblings, Tommie Reed, Lessie Reed Evans, Wesley Thomas, Percy Thomas, Eirgie Hughes and Henrietta Grant; and one child, Angela Phillips all preceded him in death. Murley expressed a hope in Christ at a young age. After many years of serving God, he later answered his call into the ministry. His inquisitive nature persisted, and he was determined to learn as much as he could about the Word of God. He pastored Holy Way Missionary Baptist Church for several years where he continued serving God and people. His love of God caused him to look for any and every opportunity to share his knowledge of Christ with others. He also taught bible study and vacation bible school for many years. He received many accolades during his lifetime, but none more cherished than the Honorary Doctoral of Ministry degree awarded to him. Reverend Reed was a jack of all trades and considered himself good at most. He enjoyed spending time looking at YouTube , National Geographic and any religion or learning program. He was a faithful member of Commonwealth Baptist Church until his health failed and he was no longer able to attend. However, he would still avail himself to the Word of God whether on TV, radio or on-line. Family was very important to him and once his health started to decline he wanted to be around his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his remaining months of life he relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana to live with his daughter. He passed away quietly at home on XX July 2023. He leaves to cherish his memory wife Ruby Phillips Reed of 30 years, his only surviving sibling Callie Mullins of Toledo, Ohio; children Pamela Reed( Hospice care) ,Leonard Reed, Sandra Kay Reed Cooperwood (Les), Crystal Reed, Christopher Reed(Crystal)Angela Phillips(deceased), Kelly Phillips-Person(Maurice) Karen Phillips-Buffkin(Deveer) and Kevin Phillips; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.