Josephine Brannen Reed

Josephine “Jo” Brannen Reed was born March 10, 1934 in Lake Butler, Florida to Seeber Paul and Donnie Mae Loadholtz Brannen. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Markalee “Buck” Brannen, husband, Gilbert Reed, Daughter-in-law Marsha Reed and son-in-law Joseph “Joe” Strickland. Her family moved to Carraway, Florida when she was entering the seventh grade and she graduated from Mellon High School (later known as Palatka High School) in 1952. She married Gilbert Reed two weeks after graduation and created a home in Melrose, FL. The Reeds moved to Keystone Heights in 1969. 

Jo was a graduate of the University of Florida School of Banking. Her banking career began in 1953 at Keystone State Bank six months after it opened. For a short period she worked at Community State Bank, Starke, FL, 1958, however returned to Keystone State Bank in 1960. She went through the ranks beginning as a secretary/teller until ultimately becoming President in 1980; one of six women bank presidents in the State of Florida, two hundred nationwide. She served on the Boards of Florida Bankers Association, Community Bankers of Florida and Independent Bankers Association of America. She alsoserved as Regional Vice President of the National Association of Bank Women, Florida Region (NABW).   She was the first recipient of the Community Bankers of Florida Horizon Award. Upon retirement from Keystone State Bank she was a business development officer for M&S Bank, now Ameris Bank.Retirement led to the creation of Jo Reed Specialty Advertising representing Newton Manufacturing Company and later Halo Branded Solutions. In 1983 she and Gilbert opened their gift shop, Plain N Fancy to which Gilbert said he was the plain and she was the fancy. The couple also had a skin care business representing Elyssa. Throughout her life Jo was a major crafter, always creating beautiful and unique crafts. At the time she became employed at the bank, she did not have a driver’s license. When the chairman of the board advised her that she had the job and wanted her to come right away, she drove a stick shift car although she did not know how to drive a stick and did not have a license.

She was a long-time member of Eliam Baptist Church, where she and Gilbert married in the old wooden church. At Eliam she attended the Joy Sunday School class. She also attended Fresh Start Fellowship and Keystone Christian Church. She was a member of the Keystone Heights Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, number 267 of which she served as Worthy Matron, is a past Grand Martha of the Grand Chapter of Florida. She served on the Board of the Bradford County Chamber of Commerce, is a past member of the Keystone Heights Rotary Club. She was the Grand Marshall for the Keystone Heights Our Country Day celebration in 1985. Jo was a lifelong supporter of Racers for Christ, Youth for Christ, LAM, Answers, American Cancer Society and numerous churches in addition to those she attended.

She was a terrific cook, having published three cookbooks. “Plain N Fancy,” “Jus good eatin”and “Sweets and Treats.”

She is survived by her daughter, Deb Reed of Melrose, FL, son Arnold Reed (Vicki) of Demorest, Ga, Grandson Clint (Betina) of Tarpon Springs, FL, Granddaughter Alison (Dave) Davis of St. Petersburg, FL; Great Granddaughters Hanna McKenzie and Audrey Reed, Great Grandson Jackson Davis; her “other son” Eric Sales (Carol) and her precious caregiver Rachel Sible of Keystone Heights, FL.

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