Dorcas Ann 'Mother Eagle' Reed, 74

HOPEWELL TWP, N.J. - Dorcas Ann "Mother Eagle" Reed, passed away early Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in South Jersey Regional Medical Center, Vineland, where she had been a patient since Tuesday. Her death was sudden and unexpected. She was 74. Born in Dover, she was the daughter of the late Edgar "June" Ridgway and Leanna (nee Dean) Peterson, and the wife of the late Walter Allen Reed Sr. She had been a resident of Hopewell for the past 26 years and previously she had lived in Greenwich Twp. Dorcas was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, and the International College of Bible Theology through the Jubilee Living Word Ministries. She was formerly employed as an administrative secretary with Cumberland Manor for over 26 years until her retirement in April of 2000. She was the columnist for Smoke Signals, Native American Notes from Down Jersey in the Cumberland County Reminder, which she enjoyed. She was a former member and Church secretary for Jubilee Living Word Church and had just recently joined Lighthouse Baptist Church. She was a former leader of Brownie Troop 226, a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians, where she was a former secretary for the Tribal newsletter, and was instrumental in starting and formerly leading the New Dawn Youth Group for the younger members of the tribe. She loved traveling, especially with her sister-in-law Natalie, spending time with her family, watching the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles teams, crocheting, and her weekly Bible Studies. She will truly be missed by all. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jeanette Ridgway; and a brother, Kenneth W. "Like An Eagle Watching" Ridgway. Surviving her are her three loving children, Walter Allen Reed Jr. and his wife Charlotte, of Shiloh, N.J., Diane Marie Massari and her husband Steven, of Hopewell Twp., N.J., and Linda Sue Harmon and her husband Warren "Nippy" Harmon, of Hopewell Twp., N.J.; one brother, Edgar "Sonny" Loatman and his wife Roberta, of Upper Deerfield Twp., N.J.; one sister, Beverly Dickinson, of Upper Deerfield Twp., N.J.; her half-sister, Shirley Brown, of Bridgeton, N.J.; her sister-in-law, Natalie Ridgway, of Alloway, N.J.; five grandchildren, Marie-Lynn, Walter III, Dorann, Blake, and Brett; three great-grandchildren, Brianna, Dylan, and Julian; and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 at 12 p.m. at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 149 W. Deerfield Road, Route 540, Deerfield Street, N.J. Dorcas's pastor, the Rev. Tim Boner will officiate. Burial will take place in Fernwood Memorial Park, Hopewell Twp., N.J. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday evening at the Sray-Webster Funeral Home, 62 Landis Ave., at Carll's Corner, Upper Deerfield Twp., and again from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday morning at the church prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 149 W. Deerfield Rd., Rt. 540, Deerfield Street, N.J. 08313. Written condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at www.sraywebsterfuneralhome.com.