Sally Burwell Gillespie Reed

1939 - 2025

Sally Burwell Gillespie Reed

May 25, 1939 - May 31, 2025

Sally Burwell Gillespie Reed passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025. She was preceded in death five years earlier by her beloved husband of 57 years, Dr. John William Reed.

Sally was born in "coal country" of Maybeury, W.Va., on May 25, 1939, in the latter days of the Great Depression. Although she was the only child of J. Barnes and Eliza Gillespie, she was surrounded by many cousins and the 14 aunts and uncles who lived nearby.

Growing up in Maybeury, and then Bluefield, Va., Sally attended Northfork-Elkhorn High School where she performed as a majorette and studied piano. She graduated from Salem College in 1961 with a degree in piano and music education. After teaching grade school music for a year in New York City, Sally married John on June 8, 1962.

Sally and John raised three children while living in San Francisco, Warner Robins, Ga., Boston, Jerusalem (Israel), Durham, and Winston-Salem. She embraced music throughout her life as a singer in community chorales, as an accompanist for various children's choirs, and as a longtime member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church choir.

Besides music, Sally knit beautifully vibrant sweaters for the family children and raised heirloom roses in her lovely garden. Cooking was a gift she bestowed on her friends and family with sumptuous meals and desserts. Sally especially treasured her friendships with her neighbors in Old Salem. She shared a love of travel with John and had many adventures throughout America and abroad.

Sally is survived by her son, John Reed, Jr (Mary) of Winston-Salem; daughter, Kathryn Reed (Boaz Sharon) of Boston, daughter, Sarah Reed Carter (Jeff) of Brevard; as well as six grandchildren, Hannah Reed Wilkinson (Josh) and Nelson Reed, Ethan and Abigail Sharon, Eva and Lily Carter; and great-grandson, Theo Wilkinson.

A loving and gracious wife, mother, and grandmother, Sally gave the best that she had and blessed her family and friends throughout her life.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, June 26th, at 3 p.m., at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem.

In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial donations to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Music and Choral programs, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

To make your donation online, visit www.stpaulsws.org/stewardship/donate. (To ensure your gift is allocated appropriately, choose "memorial gift" in the drop-down options and note in the memo space that it is in memory of Sally Reed).

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

120 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101