Editha Jessup Reed

Nine Mile Falls, WA - Mrs. Editha "Eddie" Jessup Reed, 89, died peacefully with family at Holy Family Hospital Sunday, November 22, 2009. She was preceded in death by parents Roger Wilcott Jessup, dairyman and longtime Los Angeles County Supervisor and Marguerite Editha Jessup of Glendale, CA; husbands Dr. Donald Melin DDS LT/USN and Godfrey "Jeff" Henry Reed, LtCoI/USMC(Ret); son Charles Godfrey Reed, Capt/USMC; and four siblings: Lois, Roger Jr.,Webster and Vincent Jessup. Eddie was born in Glendale, CA; she attended the University of Southern California were she met and married Dr. Melin in June 1940; Dr. Melin died in a train accident in October 1941. She was remarried in August 1944 to Jeff Reed 2nd LT/USMC. Eddie was a dedicated Marine Corps wife, supporting her husband (WWII/ Korea) and family; they resided in CA, NC, NJ, VA and Hawaii; living in 18 different homes during their 20 year career. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1961, they operated a ranch in Loomis, WA. In 1964 they farmed in Moses Lake and then purchased and operated Inland Aviation Fixed Base Operation at the Ephrata Airport. When Jeff was killed in a chartered flight in January 1974, Eddie moved to Nine Mile Falls after selling the operation. Eddie was a dedicated mother, grandmother and member of numerous community and fraternal organizations, holding leadership positions in Sorosis, Daughters of The Nile (Spokane), Order of the Eastern Star (Kailua Lanikai #9 Hawaii and Spokane #163) and Amaranth. Notable was her support of the young women of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Washington. She is survived by her son Bruce Jessup Reed (LtCol USMC/Ret) and daughter-in-law Wilma of Wilmington, NC; daughter Lois Editha Howes and son-in-law Larry of Spokane; brother Ethan (Bert) Jessup of Morgan Hill, CA; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 5, 2009, at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division St., Spokane, WA. ln lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children,911 W. 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204 or a charity of your choice.