Bette Jean Reed

Bette Jean Reed, 102, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 4:50 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Miller's at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Born on February 23, 1924, in Allen County, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Nellie (Schlup) Bell. Growing up near New Haven, she graduated from New Haven High School in 1942.

She began her work career at G.C. Murphy in Fort Wayne, where she met her future husband. On September 5, 1943, she was united in marriage to Max E. Reed. At the time, the two were working for General Electric in Fort Wayne. In 1943, the couple moved to Columbia City, raising three daughters.

Joining her husband's business, Reed's Shoe Store, in Columbia City in 1966, she worked there for 22 years. Max died on July 21, 2010.

Bette was a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church since 1944 and several Women's Circles. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of Kappa Delta Phi, and Job's Daughters.

Surviving are her daughters, Sharon (Tom) Laird of Boca Raton, FL, Christine Chaffins of Ridgeville, and Diana (Larry) Graves of West Lafayette; grandchildren, Kathleen Potts, Melanie Cussen, Chad Chaffins, Shanyn Swager, Lesli Chaffins, Lecretia Graves, and Rachelle Graves; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Agnes Wilson and Helen Bell, and her brothers, Ray, Bruce, Robert, Noble, and Norman Bell, and son-in-law, Jim Chaffins.

The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday (Mar 21st) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Bette's honor are to the Peabody Library.

Bette's family would like to thank Millers at Oak Pointe for taking great care of their mother for almost eight years.

This service will be live-streamed through our Facebook page.