Barbara Louise (Wright) Reed died, at home, in the early morning of July 9th 2026.  Age 89.  She was born in Delaware, Ohio, November 6th, 1936.  Her parents were; Gilson Prescott Wright, and, Amy Benton Wright.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Louis Reed, and her brother Robert Wright (Bob).  Barbara moved with her parents and sister Marilyn to Oxford, Ohio in 1940.  She was a 1954 graduate of William McGuffey High School.  Two years of kindergarten plus 12 years gave her a total of 14 years at "McGuffey".   Barbara married William Gerald Blair "Jerry" in Reno, Nevada in 1954.  Mr. Blair was stationed in nearby Camp Pendleton at Oceanside, California.  Their first of 2 sons, Jerry, were born.  Upon discharge, the family moved to Hamilton, In 1965, a company transfer led to Dallas, Texas (University Park) , this time with their second son, Scott.  Divorce in 1967 led to a move in 1971, to Oxford, Ohio.  Barbara accepted a position as secretary to the publisher at The Hamilton Journal-News.  It was there that she met the love of her life, Ron Reed.  They married in May of 1972 and had an extremely happy marriage until his untimely death in February 1993.  Barbara worked at many jobs until Fibromyalgia forced an early retirement in 1988.  Grades 4-7 had Barbara delivering newspapers for the Hamilton Journal-News.  She often stated that she earned one quarter of one penny for each paper delivered. Upon learning to type in 9th grade, she earned 35 cents per hour by typing and distributing the morning announcements, which were read in homeroom.  She held various part -time positions at Miami University during her High School years , and also worked at the old Apothecary Shop on High Street in uptown Oxford.  Upon graduation, she was employed at the Phi Kappa Tau Central Office in Oxford.   She was a clerk-typist at Camp Pendleton , California.  The years 1969-1970 had her employed at Champion paper company.  In University Park Texas, she was a bookkeeper for several dentists.  When her second husband, Ron, was transferred to South Carolina to work for The Anderson Independent Daily Mail, she worked there as well.  While in Anderson, she also worked at the State Employment Commission. Upon their return to Oxford in 1976, Barbara briefly worked at The Fairfield Echo Newspaper.  Soon after, she worked at the Oxford Press off and on for 11 years.  Her main interests were American History, archaeology, fossil hunting, genealogy, nature, and gardening.  She was vitally interested in establishing a collection of memorabilia relating to Oxford area veterans of WWII.  Survivors include: sister Marilyn Stork of Delaware, Ohio, nephew Bill, nieces Cathy, Amy, Donna, and Sarah; sons Jerry Blair (Erica) of Vevay, Indiana, and Scott Blair (Tana) of Oxford; grandchildren Sean Leventen (Sandy), and Taylor Turner (Josh) of Hamilton;  great-grandchildren Liam and Claire Leventen, and Noah, Riley, and Camden Turner.

A graveside service was held July 13th, officiated by John Witt. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to At Home Silver Care, Oxford, Ohio ; Smith Library of Regional History, Oxford, Ohio ; The Haven House, Hamilton, Ohio ; or the American Arthritis Association for Fibromyalgia Research or Fibromyalgia Education for the general public. Online condolences may be shared with the family on the Tribute Wall at www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com