Mary Frances “Bitsy” Jackson Reed, 85 of Snellville, Georgia passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11. A native of Bridgeport, Alabama, Bitsy was living with her daughter and son-in-law Ben and Debbie Hughes in the Atlanta area at the time of her passing.
Mary spent her life loving her family and her many friends. She was known to all for her loving and vivacious spirit, her infectious laughter, her caring heart, her desire for all those around her to have good, clean fun, and her famous chocolate cake which she never failed to bring to every church dinner, family gathering, or to a friend in need of cheering up.
Although she had been living with her daughter for over 10 years and attending church with them, she still considered herself a member of her hometown church, the Bridgeport Church of Christ, which she attended for many years prior.
Mary was preceded in death by her first husband Thomas E. Jackson and her second husband Roger V. Reed, her parents Kyle Benjamin “Dude” Matthews Sr. and Anna Louise Connor Matthews and her brother Kyle Benjamin Matthews Jr.
She is survived by her children Deborah “Debbie” (Ben) Hughes of Snellville, Georgia, Fran (Wayne) Clemons of Savannah, Georgia and Tammy Sotelo of Snellville, Georgia, grandchildren Thomas (Jillian) Hughes, Ryan Hughes, Keith (Rachel) Whitaker, Faithe (Phillip) Johnson, Danny Sotelo and Sofie Sotelo, great grandchildren Fischer Johnson and Nora Whitaker, sister Norma Matthews Burt, as well as several nephews, nieces and many friends.
A celebration of life memorial service was conducted at the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg on Saturday, January 17 at 1 p.m., with Pastor Barry Grider who officiated and eulogy conducted by her loving daughters Debbie Hughes, Fran Bentz and Tammy Sotelo.
Mrs. Reed was laid to rest with her beloved husband Thomas E. Jackson in Rocky Springs Cemetery in Bridgeport, Alabama.
The family received friends for visitation on Saturday, January 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the funeral service held at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.
Pallbearers were Thomas Hughes, Ryan Hughes, Keith Whitaker, Danny Sotelo, Kyle B. “Tres” Matthews, III and Wayne Clemons.
Arrangements were entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home, 400 Laurel Avenue, South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380. Phone 423-837-7176.
The Marion Tribune – January 22, 2026