Terry A. Reed

Terry A. Reed, age 68, had his last day at his home on Happy Mullet Bayou surrounded by “his girls” on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020. He spent 33 days at M.D. Anderson in Houston and was anxious to return home where he would be his happiest! Terry was born in Houston and spent his childhood and school days in the Cypress Fairbanks/Cy-Fair School District. Football and surfing were his passions. He was drafted immediately after graduating high school and was sent to Vietnam for his tour of duty. While in the Army, he made close friendships. One being Polie Danny Ainsworth of Biloxi, and that resulted in many stories and tales of hitch-hiking adventures and serendipitous moments. Because of this friendship, he came to Biloxi where he met the love of his life, Cathydee Shelton, and never left. Terry attended school in Houston and then used his GI Bill to continue his schooling here on the Gulf Coast. He worked for his father-in-law at W. P. Shelton, Jeweler as a bench jeweler and at one time opened his own store, Jewelers Showcase, in Gautier. Terry and his wife then purchased the store in Ocean Springs in 1995. He worked in the store until 2018. He was well known for his works and his talks about beautiful diamonds and jewelry that will always bring you pleasure and he believed the community should support local businesses to help owners support their families. Terry’s interests, besides his family, were reading & re-reading the classics with much discussion. He definitely loved professional football and football talk and was a season ticket holder for his New Orleans Saints. Terry experienced all the highs of winning and the lows of suspensions and missed calls. Baseball was his other sport love and he was ready for the season to begin so he could watch his grandson, James, play. His picky palette kept him always on the hunt for the perfect redfish dish and the never ending search for the best hamburger (current title holder is Government Street Grocery)! Terry and Cathy loved the music, food and lifestyle of New Orleans, so they purchased a Pied-a-Terre and spent many days exploring the live music venues, restaurants and street festivals of NOLA. Terry was always accommodating to drive “his girls” and their krewe to Jazz Fest daily for drop off and pick up. This is how his nickname “Yusef” came to be. Many laughs were shared during these shenanigans and great stories arose. So much of what Terry wanted to do... make it a Jim Beam & coke though.... he always wanted a little club with a little stage. He was writing a book about "More" and he was selling chapters in advance for $1 each. If you already have one.... well... you are lucky. Mark Twain was his true love of the writers. Paul Simon lyrics, Dylan’s, Petty's poetics and 5 syllable words! His life was full of "Larry David Moments", hence his label of Larry David Jr. and plenty have been witnesses to these happenings, which are also known as “the Reed Luck”. Terry believed that "generosity breeds generosity" and that a named religion wasn't necessary. Just live a life like Christ. He loved his family and circle of friends.... good guitar music, classic novels, a good golf game and always in search of a "good conversation”. He was always positive and planning for what was best for the future. He was loved by all and will be missed. We welcome all “Terryism” stories and encounters. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Ernestine Reed of Houston, Texas and his mentor, W. P. Shelton & wife, Mary Shelton, of Biloxi & Ocean Springs. Terry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathydee; two daughters, Dianne Murray and her husband Brad and Jessica Reed and her love Dennis Walker; and two grandchildren, Lillian Frances and James Adrien. All of Ocean Springs. He is also survived by three brothers, Ronnie, Guy and Tim Reed, all of the Houston area; two sisters, Kathy Nowak, of Houston and Susan Strong, of New Braunfels, TX., and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, is honored to serve this family. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to: www.phacesyndromecommunity.org in honor of his granddaughter, Lillian or www.thelordismyhelp.org