Sharon Rae Reed

Ms. Sharon Rae Reed, 73, of Albany, formerly of Richland passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany. Visitation was held on Friday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Hall and Hall Funeral Home in Albany and grave side services were held at 1:00 p.m. at Red Hill Christian Church Cemetery in Richland with the Reverend Robert Orr and Bro. Maxie Parker officiating. Donna Parker read from the Bible and sang Sorry, I Never Knew You. Born in Terre Haute Indiana in 1943, she was the daughter of the late Madonna Reed and the late Ramon Reed both of Richland. She was born with cataracts on both eyes. Sharon never saw anything until she was 16 months old when the doctors performed surgery. The doctors told her parents she wouldn’t live but they forgot to tell Sharon. She would have been 74 years old this November. Sharon was raised in Richland, going to school in Richland for a few years and at the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon where she graduated in 1966.. After graduation she married her high school sweetheart Barney Martin and they lived in Griffin, GA for 20 years. After Barney passed away she moved back to Richland. Sharon had a gentle soul, loved children, got along well with people and for many years was a certified Adult Sitter. Sharon loved to read and crocheted many beautiful afghan’s. She loved ice cream, people and Gospel and Country music. She also was an avid WWE (wrestling) fan. Sharon was a member of the National Federation for the Blind and a Lioness. There were times in her life that she felt depressed because of her handicap. She asked her mother once Why her? Why did God make her handicapped instead of Sue or Linda?. Mother said We are all handicapped in one way or another She told Sharon You can’t see or hear good but you teach us about compassion, love understanding and patience. We see how you have suffered because of your health and we have learned that a person doesn’t have to see or hear well to be exceptional and loving. Sharon’s faith never waivered. She was baptised in the First Baptist Church in Richland and attended different churches when she lived in different counties. Sharon was preceded in death by both parents and her sister Karel Sue Reed Abner of Columbus, and her husband Barney. She is survived by her sister Linda and brother-n-law Ron Provencher of Richland, numerous nieces and nephews. Special friends Donna and Maxie Parker, and Debbie McDonald of Albany. She can see now. She can hear now. She heard Jesus calling and she went home. In leiu of flowers you may give to the National Federation of the Blind or the Heart Association. Hall and Hall Funeral Home of Albany was in charge of arrangements.