Elbert Thomas Reed, 84, Gainesville, FL passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023, at ET York Hospice Care Center, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Reed was born in Cumberland County, TN on April 20, 1938. He lived his childhood and early years in and around Cumberland County before spending time as an adult in Cleveland, OH, Central Florida, and East Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Hyder Reed; his daughters, Sandy Reed Yancey, Vickie Reed (Jeff) Wilt, and Tiffany Reed, all of Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Richard Proffitt, Jonathan DiGiovanni, Joshua DiGiovanni, Ashley Wilt-Ramirez, Jacob Yancey and Abigail Wilt; great-grandchildren, Richard Proffitt III, Kaileigh Proffitt, Everett DiGiovanni, and Emery DiGiovanni; brothers TJ Selby, James Selby, John Selby, Gerald Reed, Bill Selby, and Bob Selby, all of Cumberland County and Rhea County, TN; sisters Gail Selby Staggs and Betty Selby both of Cumberland County, TN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Mr. Reed was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Reed Proffitt, his mother, Susie Garrison Selby, his father, Major Reed, his stepfather Eugene Selby and his beloved grandparents, Bert Arthur, and Mary Garrison.

Elbert was an avid gardener, as well as a talented artist, carpenter, and woodworker. He was well known for his love of raising animals and over the years had many horses, rabbits, and dogs. In more recent years he was rarely without his beloved Miniature Poodle, Scooter. His passion for, and work with animals included showing rabbits and showing horses across the US. His love of the outdoors also included hunting and fishing. One of his great joys in life was sharing these activities with his children and grandchildren. Mr. Reed served his Central Florida community for many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Deer Run Fire Department in St. Cloud, FL.

The Reed/Garrison family has deep roots in the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee. Mr. Reed’s fourth great-grandfather, Lovett Reed was a Revolutionary War Patriot that served on horseback, often riding first into battle as a color bearer for the Continental Army. After America gained its independence, Lovett settled in the area that is today known as Happy Top, which encompasses parts of Cumberland, Rhea, and Bledsoe Counties in Tennessee. All of the subsequent grandfathers of Elbert Reed have lived in and are interred in the areas surrounding Happy Top and the Cumberland Plateau.

There will be a viewing and gathering to honor Mr. Reed at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home at 823 NW 143rd Street, Newberry, FL on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM.
This will be followed by funeral services Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Hood Funeral Home, Crossville, TN. The family will receive family and friends on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Green Acres Memory Garden.