Mark Brenton Reed went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 10, 2022. Words cannot describe the emptiness left in many hearts when Mark departed this world. We are all better people for having known such a kind and generous soul.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Carrie (Funk) Reed and daughter June (Tessiatore) Higson.
Mark graduated from Saint Albans High School. He attended Fairmont State University and received his bachelor’s degree. He obtained his master’s degree from West Virginia University. He was employed by CAMC in various capacities for many years until his retirement. He was the manager of the Laundry, Maintenance and Housekeeping Departments, just to name a few.
Mark never met an antique that he didn’t love and want to buy. His specialties were primitives, A&P Grocery Store memorabilia, Jewel T. Autumn Leaf and Fosteria. Mark and Jewel were participants for many years at the Autumn Glory Antique Show as Ma and Pa Antiques.
Mark was an avid fan of both WVU football and basketball. He bled blue and gold and was the best armchair coach ever. He attended many home football games and traveled to various bowl games to support the team.
Mark made the best buckwheat cakes you could ever eat. You were never able to leave the table without eating at least one more cake.
Mark loved Rowlesburg more than any other place on earth. He spent every spare minute possible there, from his childhood summers to restoring his grandparents’ home. Many hours were spent splashing and swimming in the Cheat River behind the house. He eventually retired there along with his beloved wife, Jewel.
In Rowlesburg, Mark was involved in several civic organizations. He served on the Revitalization Committee, helping with historic preservation of the Serafino House. He previously served as the president of the Rowlesburg Historical Society. One of his greatest honors was being awarded the History Hero Award for historic preservation in Preston County. He guided tours of the historical Cannon Hill site in Rowlesburg and relished telling the tale of how it came to be named.
Mark attended the WVIAC Tournament with 50-plus years sitting in the same seats at the Charleston Civic Center. His attendance streak ended due to COVID.
There are many family members and friends that will miss Mark dearly. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Jewel Bean Reed. Also, to cherish his memory are his daughter, Julie (John) Tessiatore-Evans, of Charleston; sister-in-law, Regina Veltri, of Charleston; son-in-law, Ted (Katie) Higson, of Cumberland, Md.; and his grandchildren, Ike, Ruby, Lily and Thea Higson, all of Cumberland, Md.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to a charity of your choice. Two suggestions are: WV Caring (Hospice of Preston County) P.O. Box 760, Arthurdale, WV, 26520, and Christ United Methodist Church, 14 W. Main St., Rowlesburg, WV 26425.
Services will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Rowlesburg, on Saturday, May 14. Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. with the funeral service to begin at 1 p.m. The burial will follow the service at Red Rock Cemetery in Rowlesburg. The Burke Funeral Home in Rowlesburg will be providing the funeral services.
Condolences:
www.burkefuneralhomewv.com
