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Meningitis Outbreak
The third Tennessean killed in the fungal meningitis outbreak was identified as Diana Reed, the wife and caretaker of Wayne Reed, who has suffered from ALS for close than 20 years.
Those that knew Reed say she also volunteered much of her time at the Wayne Reed Christian Childcare Center, a pre-school for low-income families founded by her husband 14 years ago.
"You pray for the family," said one woman who picked up her grandchild at the center Thursday. "You really feel hard for them."
Many of the parents that picked up their kids from the downtown Nashville center Thursday afternoon were just learning the center had lost one of its biggest supporters.
Bill Lassiter, a spokesperson for the center's board of directors said Reed had played a major role in the development of the center since it was founded by her husband in 1998.
The center's mission is to give low-income children between 1 and 3 years old the preparation they need for kindergarten. Lassiter said Reed wore many hats at the center, volunteering her time to make it a better place.
"I think that the Wayne Reed Childcare Center is extremely extremely well," said Terri Lawson whose daughter attends the center. "They prepare our kids. They love them. They're dedicated. They give their time, they give themselves and it shows in our kids."
Lassiter said Reed's giving spirit wasn't confined to the walls of the center. She also had a full-time job and cared for her husband, who suffered from ALS, also known as Lou Gerhig's disease, which affects the nerve cells and brain.
Lassiter said hers was a life spent serving and the families of the children that benefit from her hard work are deeply saddened she won't be seen in the halls of the center any more.
"My heart goes and my prayers go out to the family," one parent said. "I'm sure that she truly is going to be missed." Friday, October 5 2012, 02:48 PM CDT
Those that knew Reed say she also volunteered much of her time at the Wayne Reed Christian Childcare Center, a pre-school for low-income families founded by her husband 14 years ago.
"You pray for the family," said one woman who picked up her grandchild at the center Thursday. "You really feel hard for them."
Many of the parents that picked up their kids from the downtown Nashville center Thursday afternoon were just learning the center had lost one of its biggest supporters.
Bill Lassiter, a spokesperson for the center's board of directors said Reed had played a major role in the development of the center since it was founded by her husband in 1998.
The center's mission is to give low-income children between 1 and 3 years old the preparation they need for kindergarten. Lassiter said Reed wore many hats at the center, volunteering her time to make it a better place.
"I think that the Wayne Reed Childcare Center is extremely extremely well," said Terri Lawson whose daughter attends the center. "They prepare our kids. They love them. They're dedicated. They give their time, they give themselves and it shows in our kids."
Lassiter said Reed's giving spirit wasn't confined to the walls of the center. She also had a full-time job and cared for her husband, who suffered from ALS, also known as Lou Gerhig's disease, which affects the nerve cells and brain.
Lassiter said hers was a life spent serving and the families of the children that benefit from her hard work are deeply saddened she won't be seen in the halls of the center any more.
"My heart goes and my prayers go out to the family," one parent said. "I'm sure that she truly is going to be missed." Friday, October 5 2012, 02:48 PM CDT
