Jan. 17, 1929-June 5, 2024
With heavy hearts we share the loss of our beloved Boo. She was called home to be with our Lord Wednesday, June 5, 2024, after post-operative complications. She was tired, but she was peaceful. Throughout that time, she never complained and was still her joyful, funny, loving self. She came into this world a princess but left a queen.
Martha Evelyn was born on Jan. 17, 1929 in Lake Charles, to Leroy and Eula Devall and was the youngest of two children. Her daddy gave her the nickname “Boo”, which followed her through life. She was raised and attended school in Hackberry. Her father made sure she knew what a good man was; she would say she was spoiled, but we will say “pampered”. At the age of 21, she met and married the love of her life, Allen Whitley “Whit” Reed. They moved to west Texas where Whit worked in the oil fields, and they were blessed with four children. She was a faithful loving wife, and even though Whit would be gone for a week at a time, he still made sure she was “pampered”. He passed away suddenly in 1982; soon after, with mixed emotions, she and their youngest two children moved back to Hackberry to be near her family. Since then, her children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends have taken wonderful care of their Boo. She loved all the attention and was proud to tell you she has never even pumped her own gas!
We are so thankful she got to celebrate one last Christmas Eve and birthday with her family. She would do whatever it took to make sure you came, and that included guilting – for the last 20 years she would tell us, “You know, I might not be here next year!”
Boo was hilarious, strong, energetic, the life of the party, and full of so much love. She did not feel, look or act her age. Just last year, she was very upset to realize she was “old” when we made her use a walker. She loved her family more than anything in this world, and only our Lord Jesus above them. She also loved the color red, and to honor her, the family invited everyone in attendance to wear red for her rosary and funeral.
Boo is survived by her daughter Pamela (Keith) Kovach of Hackberry and their sons K.J. (Haley) and Jesse; son Allen “Rocky” Reed of Hackberry and his son Callen; son James “Jimmy” Reed (Cathy) of Normangee, Texas and their children Megan, Whitley (Magen), Colin (Chelsea), Jailyn (Ryan) Whittaker, and Coltin (Lexi); and son Chad Reed (Jamie) of Sulphur.
Known as “Boo Boo” to the greats, she is survived by her 18 great-grandchildren (listed by family): Andy, Sarah, Obie and Tyler Kovach; Bryan Lee Meche, Jr.; Jaydin Reed and Kolt Relles; Gracie, Rowen, Jolie, Blakely and Drake Reed; Kyler, Kayden and Kolter Reed; Larkin Reed and Jude Whittaker; and Samuel Reed.
Others left to cherish her memory include many nephews, nieces (greats and great-greats) and close friends who she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Devall; mother, Eula Benoit Devall; husband of thirty-two years, Allen Whitley Reed; brother, Alfred Devall; and grandson, Bryan Lee Meche.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hackberry, where she has been a member for the last 41 years. Father Arvind Minz was officiated. Interment services followed burial at the Hackberry Cemetery. Martha’s family and many many dear friends gathered in the church hall to celebrate her life and share their memories. Her family led a Rosary service Friday evening.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
(Paid Memorial)