Oak Ridge Native Leaves Legacy of Love to Methodist Hospitality Houses

Nancy Reed grew up in Oak Ridge and dedicated her life to teaching. A sixth grade math teacher at Karns Middle School in Knoxville, Nancy fought a valiant battle with can­cer, inspiring her students, friends and family with her strong spirit. That in­spiration lives on through the many lives she touched in her teaching career; as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend; and in her generous legacy to the Hos­pitality Houses of Method­ist Medical Center.

During her treatment with specialists in Win­ston-Salem, North Caro­lina, Nancy’s family stayed in a nearby hospital hospi­tality house – a lodging fa­cility for those facing seri­ous medical issues far from home. Because that facility was so important to them during a trying time, Nancy decided to contribute a portion of her estate to support the Hospitality Houses here in Oak Ridge. She passed away in June of 2016.

Last month, Nan­cy’s mother and step-father, Phyllis and Lewis Phillips, and sister, Barb Cooksey, visited the Houses for a tour and presented manager Kim Maes with a significant con­tribution to support the mis­sion of Hospitality Houses.

“Their generosity and dedication to other pa­tients and families facing serious illness far from home is admirable,” said Maes. “Methodist Medi­cal Center is grateful for their desire to make an impact in this community and beyond, and to ensure that Nancy’s legacy lives on in the work of the Hos­pitality Houses.”

The Hospitality Hous­es of Methodist Medical Center have been part of the Oak Ridge commu­nity since 1997 and are supported solely through charitable contributions. Whether that’s through monetary donations, food and household necessities or in the form of volun­teer support, everything offered to the Hospitality Houses is valued and ap­preciated.

Maes said, “On behalf of the many patients and families who rely on the Hospitality Houses during a medical crisis, we thank Nancy’s family for their incredible support. We are continually overwhelmed by the impact our hous­es, and those around the country, have on patients and families in need. It is the generosity of families like this one that continue to make our program pos­sible.”

To learn more about opportunities to support the Hospitality Houses, please call (865) 835-4358 or visit mmcoakridge. com/hospitality.