Karolyn E. Reed, retired licensed CNA GNA and beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, departed this physical life on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

Karolyn Reed was born on November 21, 1953 to the late Sylvester and Nellie Stanton. On April 19, 1975 she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Reed and from this union two children were born, Joseph Reed, Jr. and April Reed Jackson. She attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Carver Vocational Technical High School as a cosmetology major. If anybody could put a "hurtin on a head" it was her. You could walk in the door looking like Celie from The Color Purple and walk out looking like Natalie Cole! Although she was a natural in the beauty culture, she went on to earn an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management from CCB, which afforded her the opportunity to manage several small restaurants including The Kid's Diner, located a stone's throw away from City Hall in Baltimore. There she taught high school students the skills necessary to be successful in the hospitality industry and all the students loved "Miss Reed." In her later years, Karolyn re-established her relationship with the Lord and enjoyed attending Life Music Christian Fellowship (LMCF) church in Baltimore. At the ministry she received spiritual nourishment at the mouth of Apostle Timothy Moore and felt at home because of the love demonstrated by the LMCF family.

God blessed Karolyn with a heart full of love, compassion and generosity; and she was hilarious! You would never know what was going to come from those witty lips. She knew how to speak words of encouragement in your darkest hour and was famous for saying "hold on, this too shall pass," or "hold on, more shall be revealed." She had no problem telling you what you needed to hear in a way that she knew you could receive. She had a way of softening the blow by reassuring you that "this ain't no beat-up piece", translation: "there's no love lost, but here's your dose of truth, so don't be offended."

Karolyn always looked out for the children, protecting them and making sure they were all fed and looked presentable; regardless if they were relatives or not. She was the best wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and confidante. If she saw that you were in need and she had ten dollars, you could get five; if she had a dollar, you could get fifty cents.

God knew the gifts He placed in Karolyn and He knew she could be trusted with certain tasks along this journey called life. Jesus helped her overcome addiction and kept her clean for more than 25 years. He knew she was not afraid to go into dark places to pull God's people out. God knew that for the sake of a loved one, Karolyn would sacrifice her clean time and go back into the fire to grab yet another soul and show them the way out. Karolyn was a sweetheart of a woman, full of strength and courage, who shared her light wherever she went.

Karolyn was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, in-laws, brothers in-law, and special mention: Sylvester and Nellie Stanton, Bernard Stanton, Paul Stanton, Gary Stanton, Sara Reed, Charles W. Reed Sr., Clifford Reed, and Courtland Reed.

Karolyn leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy: her husband, Joseph Reed Sr.; two children, Joe and April; one son in-law, Antwan Jackson; one sister, Veronica Stanton; four sisters in-law, Constance Stanton, Jaqueline Reed, Peggy Stanton, and Vivian Reed; two brothers in-law, Robert Reed and Charles Reed; two grandsons, Darius Allen and Antwan Jackson Jr.; two greatgranddaughters, Harley Harris and Ariyah Jackson; a host of "favorite nieces" and "favorite nephews" (that know who they are); special cousin, Gilbert Snowden; lifelong friends, Valeria and Renee Antionette Adams; special friend, Annette Edwards; several dear cousins and friends.