Myrtle Evelyn (Ginjo) Reed, 91, passed on November 15, 2021 at The Pines in Kirksville, Missouri.
Ginjo was born in Kirksville on February 9, 1930 to Beulah Pack Montgomery and James C Montgomery. On August 15, 1951 Ginjo was united in marriage to Ronald C Reed at Travis Air Force Base in California. They had two children, Sheila Reed Spencer (Tracy) and Doug Reed. All three preceded her in death, along with her only brother and sister-in-law. Two grandchildren survive; Jamie Spencer of Orlando, Florida and Dustin Spencer of Belton, Missouri and several great grandchildren.
Ginjo worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone as both instructor and supervisor. She was employed for a number of years as a fashion consultant for Casual Corner. Among her greatest accomplishments were her more than 30 years working with communities and young women in pageantry. She worked locally as producer of the Adair County Fair Queen Contest and started the first Ms. Kirksville Pageant, a Miss America Preliminary in 1970 under the sponsorship of the Kirksville Jaycees. She went on to become Executive Producer of the Miss Missouri Pageant. She was lovingly known as Mother Reed for so many. Her work with young people across Missouri and in pageantry positively shaped many lives. She will be sadly missed.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO.