Joseph Ray Reed

Joseph Ray Reed, 78, of Long Beach, MS passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022 at his son’s home in Kiln, MS.

Joseph Ray Reed was born in Oberlin, Louisiana on July 7, 1943 to the late Deius Charles Reed and Laura Reeves Reed. Ray was the youngest of seven children. Ray excelled in athletics, especially football. After an outstanding senior season in 1960 at Oberlin High School, Ray signed a football scholarship with Mississippi State University. He began his football career at MSU as a quarterback. As a freshman, he led the Bulldogs to a 20-14 victory over Ole Miss. Later in his college career, Ray was moved to tight end and defensive end. Ray was a member of the first team in MSU history to play on national television, the 1963 Liberty Bowl in Philadelphia, PA. Mississippi State defeated North Carolina 16-12 to claim the Liberty Bowl title. Ray was an outstanding teammate and maintained close friendship with many of his teammates throughout his life.

Ray married his college sweetheart, Lynda Lou Perez, and they moved to the Mississippi Coast as newlyweds. Ray spent his career working as a federal parole officer. He was loved and respected by his long time colleagues. Ray loved sports, outdoor activities and his beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs. He especially loved his three boys…Bob, Mike and Corey. He coached them, supported them and could always be found attending their sporting events. And when he wasn’t at the ball field with one of his own boys, he could often be found umpiring youth baseball games. Ray was a friend to all who met him. His warm embrace and easy laugh endeared him to everyone. His loyalty was a trait that enabled him to maintain friendships throughout many decades.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Deius Charles Reed and Laura Reeves Reed, and his beloved bride, Lynda Lou Perez-Venero Reed.

Ray is survived by son Bob Reed (Beth) of Chattanooga, TN; son Mike Reed (Stephanie) of Chester, South Carolina; son Corey Reed (Shannon) of Kiln, Mississippi and sister JoAnn Landry of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Ray is also survived by ten grandchildren: Ashley Reed Henderson (Mitchell), Joseph Reed (Kelsey), Matthew Reed, Alex Reed, Abby Reed, Brittney Henderson (Jacob), Jaida Reed, Luke Reed, Eliza Reed and Cora Lynn Reed. Ray is also survived by one great grandchild: Carter Parsons.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 20, 2022, from 1 - 2 pm at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach.  The funeral service will be at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will be in Long Beach City Cemetery.