News
Mary Harwell Reed
VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Mary Harwell Reed, 92, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026. Mary was born April 21, 1934, in Booneville, Arkansas, to the late John Bertis and Margaret Harwell. Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Max Reed, daughter Robin Reed Hallatschek, sister Wynema Lee and brother Lonnie Harwell.
Mary is survived by her daughter Leslie Reed Rodgers (Tim), of Vicksburg; three granddaughters, Sarah Hallatschek, Stephanie Scurria (Greg) and Rebecca Kittel (Jonathan); one grandson, Reed Rodgers (Amanda); and four great grandchildren, Caroline Scurria, Leo Scurria, Abigail Kittel and Oliver Kittel; one sister Paula Sawyer, nephews Kerry Lee (Lisa), Kevin Harwell (Lori) and Lance Harwell (Amber); niece Aundrea Porter (Davd) and many lifelong friends.
Mary grew up the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. She met Max Reed at Reese Air Force Base and they married on March 9, 1956. They started a family, moved to Joplin, Missouri, then
Memphis, Tennessee and landed in Vicksburg, Mississippi in August of 1972.
They loved Vicksburg! Mary enjoyed working at the US Army Corps of Engineers, but truly thrived in her yard and gardens. She loved planting and tending to her flowers. There was always a vase full of fresh roses on her kitchen table. She loved her family and friends dearly. She and her two friends Barbara and Hazel could be seen every morning at 6:30 walking around the lake in the neighborhood. She soon discovered the 5K walk in the Run Thru History. She seized 1″, 2nd or 3r place in her age group almost every time she walked in the race. The family lost count of how many times she competed.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183, at 1:00, preceding her celebration of life at 2:00.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church.
