Deidre "Dede" Fisher (Ellis) Reed, age 76, of Charleston, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026. 

She was born on August 3, 1949, in Cairo, IL to the late Joseph and Loiselle (Fisher) Ellis. Growing up in Charleston, Dede enjoyed spending time at her grandfather's confectionary, Ellis's. There she enjoyed his famous baked ham sandwiches and homemade ice cream. She graduated from Charleston High School in 1967 and matriculated at Southeast Missouri State University. There she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and earned her degree in elementary and secondary education, majoring in Speech Pathology.

On September 21, 1974, she married Richard Thompson Reed Jr. Together, they raised their family in Charleston amongst the community they loved.

She was employed by Charleston R-1 school district for many years, where she taught art, drama, and provided speech pathology for students. During her tenure, she revitalized the drama productions produced by the high school, providing direction and organization. Highlighted by their 2003 production of Peter Pan, in which she headed fundraising efforts to make the cast "fly"!

She was a dedicated life-time member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston. There she played the organ for nearly fifty years, partnering with Meekee Graham and the late Betty Hearnes. Dede was heavily involved in Vacation Bible School and multiple groups and activities, lending her God given artistic and musical talents as her service to the church family.

As a passionate artist and animal lover, Dede enjoyed engaging in creative projects and spending time with her beloved pets. She was very proud of her heritage and spent considerable time researching her family's genealogy.

She is survived by her two sons, Richard Thompson "Tres" Reed III (Whitney) and Joseph Ellis Reed (Kyle) and her nephews, Chris (Robyn) Brown and Dee Brown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, a sister, Karen Brown, her brother, Mike Ellis and her nephew, Kevin Ellis Brown.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Charleston, MO. The Rev. Milton Harrington, pastor, will officiate. A eulogy will be offered by Sallee Forrest.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Charles Graham, Clinton Graham, Chuck Farmer, Bruce Farmer, John Keener and Paul Keener.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Honoring Dede's love for animals, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, plants and gift items be made to the Charleston City Dog Pound. in care of Animal Health Center in Charleston, 1225 East Marshall Street, Charleston, MO 63834, or by calling 573-683-4445.