Elizabeth “Betsy” Cary Gratz Reed, 99, of Reva, Virginia formerly of Canaan Valley died December 29, 2017 at home with her family. She was born September 25, 1918 in St. Louis, MO.
She grew up on Long Island in Great Neck, NY later moved to Santa Barbara, CA.
Betsy was preceded in death in 2003 by her husband Charles Edgar Reed formerly of Canaan Valley and in 2017 by her daughter Patsy Reed Nestor of Parsons. Betsy is survived by son Cary Reed of Canaan Valley, daughter Gail Reed Meigs of Reva, VA, and two grandchildren,
Virginia “Jenny” Reed of Morgantown and Spencer Reed of Seattle, WA.
Betsy spent two years in the South Pacific during World War II serving as a Navy nurse when she met husband Charley at Guadal Canal at age 26.
Betsy and Charley Reed were married in NYC on December 26, 1945. The Reed family first came to the valley in 1963 and purchased a 55 acre farm in what is now Canaan Valley State Park. When their farm was absorbed by the WV state park system in 1966, the Reeds purchased a smaller parcel on Rt. 32 from Red Cooper. They sold their home and business in Northern Virginia and built Mirror Lake in 1970. They then opened Canaan Realty that same year becoming the first real estate office in Tucker County and began pioneering second home development and vacation rentals. Betsy and Charley retired and moved to Florida in 1985 when they sold their business to son Cary.
Betsy Reed, remained sharp and inquisitive all through the years. She enjoyed recounting the adventures of her life in Canaan and talking baseball and politics with her caregiver son in law, Phil Meigs.
At the request of the Reed family, her remains have been cremated and will be taken to the Buena Chapel Cemetery on Freeland Road in Canaan Valley and placed next to Charley in the spring.
