Saginaw’s Forever Friend, Dale Reed

A Heart for Saginaw

When people in Saginaw talk about Dale Reed, the words that come up most often are humble, kind, and devoted. Known as an “active community organizer,” Dale has spent her entire life in service to others. She has never chased recognition, never sought the spotlight — in fact, her daughter once found drawers full of plaques and certificates that Dale had quietly tucked away over the years. For her, the joy has always been in the doing, not the credit.

“I’ve had such a full and blessed life,” she shared.

A Life Rooted in Service

Dale grew up on the north side of Fort Worth. Her father’s business card carried a simple but powerful motto — “Our sales are better served by better serving others.” That spirit of service stayed with her and became the guiding principle of her life.

She met her husband, Jerry Reese Reed, in high school. They married in 1956 and moved to  Lubbock so he could finish  his degree at Texas Tech. They returned home to Saginaw to the family farm. 

From the moment they  came back in 1958, Dale’s heart was set on giving back. “There was a need for everything when we got here,” she remembered. “And I’ve always loved meeting the needs of people.”

Organizing for Others

And meet the needs she did. Dale had a gift for organizing — whether it was children’s sports, senior activities, or community events, she knew how to bring people together.

She helped launch the town’s first children’s ball programs, persuading her husband and his brother to release land for the fields. She didn’t just stop at starting things — she passed them on to volunteers who carried them forward, like Earl Webb, John Willis, and Ken Taylor.

At just 32 years old, she realized that seniors in our area didn’t have a place to gather. So she organized the very first over-50s group, meeting wherever they could. By 1977, thanks to her persistence and a supportive city council, Saginaw had its very first Senior Citizen’s Center in North Saginaw. For Dale, that wasn’t just a building. It was a dream fulfilled that served the entire community.

Dale’s Added Interest

In 1969, encouraged by a friend in politics, Dale ran for city council — and won. She became the first woman elected to the position, serving for a full decade. That’s how she earned the nickname “the organizer,” though she always preferred to think of herself simply as a volunteer with a heart for her town.

Her fingerprints are everywhere. She helped form the Chamber of Commerce. She supported the opening of the library. She helped start recreation programs and community events, even introducing the idea of movies in the park. If there was something the city needed, Dale was at the heart of it.

Juggling It All with Grace

Even while serving on council, Dale was raising three children and running multiple businesses. She opened a beauty salon, started Saginaw’s first private kindergarten, remodeled homes, and opened a snow cone stand with the support of her family. Add in the family  farm and community projects, and it’s easy to wonder how she managed it all.

The answer is simple. She loved it. “I’ve always been a multitasker,” she said with a smile. “And I loved meeting the needs of the people.”

A Legacy of Love

Dale’s story is not just about programs and buildings. It’s about people. She remembers Christmas parties where the police department pitched in to bring joy to seniors with meals donated by local businesses. These were the moments that defined her work — the times when neighbors came together, and community became family.

Even now, living in a senior residence in Saginaw, Dale hasn’t slowed down. She remains active in her church and continues to organize events for seniors. She is proof that service isn’t something one retires from — it’s a way of life.

A Life Well Lived

Over the years, Dale has received honors, including the Yellow Rose of Texas Award for outstanding community service. But true to her nature, she’ll tell you the real honor has been getting to serve. 

“I’ve had a very full and blessed life,” she reflects. When asked about how she spends her days now, the 89-year-old laughed and said she is still involved in “four or five projects.” 

Her biggest goal was fulfilled when her friend Barbara Beerling sold her land to build a nursing care facility, The Lodge, allowing her to see decades of dreams finalized. 

For all she has done, and for all she continues to do, Dale Reed remains to have a  heart for Saginaw — a reminder that one person’s love for their community can ripple through generations.