Marilyn Kay Reed, 85, of Washington, Illinois, passed away at 6:20 am on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her family.

She was born on August 10, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Charles and Christine Cook Palmer. She married Louis Joseph "L.J." Enlow on September 6, 1958, in Cape Girardeau. He passed away on December 7, 2009. She later married Robert Reed on October 20, 2012, and he passed away on March 20, 2019. She was also preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by her children, Jamie (Denise) Enlow of Washington, Illinois; Angela (Dave) Kelly, also of Washington; John (Laura) Enlow of Morton, Illinois; Deborah Lohenitz of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina; and Terra Enlow of East Peoria, Illinois. She is also cherished by 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her stepchildren, Vickie Parrott and Bob Reed Jr., and their families. Her siblings include two brothers, Jim Palmer of Jackson, Missouri, and Dave (Kay) Palmer of Germantown Hills, Illinois, as well as one sister, Patsy (Frank) Roth of Camarillo, California.

She dedicated many years as a homemaker and worked at the Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka. She enjoyed being a bus driver for St. Patrick Catholic School in Washington and later for District 52, taking on additional trips for Washington High School over the years. Her commitment and kindness touched many lives along the way.

She was a founding member of Highview Church of God, passionately serving on various boards, including the Mission’s department and the board of trustees. Her heart led her as director of Children's Ministry, and she also served as an officer of the women's group, director of Vacation Bible School, and a dedicated Sunday School teacher and superintendent. Her love for music shone through as she sang in the choir and played the piano during church services. Additionally, she lovingly led the teen ministries, inspiring many young lives. She was a wonderfully kind and generous soul, and she left behind a beautiful legacy of love that continues to inspire everyone she touched.

A funeral service is scheduled to take place at 10 am on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. Pastor Rod Schertz will officiate. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., also at the funeral home. The interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tazewell County Animal Protective Society (T.A.P.S.) or Peoria Rescue Missions. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. To share a memory or to extend condolences to the family, please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.