Elton- Evelyn "Geraldine" Reed, 81, of Elton, entered eternal rest on February 5, 2025, in Elton, LA. Geraldine was born on August 30, 1943, in Elton, LA. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, grandmother "Aapo," and great-grandmother "Aapo Chooba."

She worked at Coushatta Health Department for 27 years and retired in 2017. She loved her work family. As a proud Coushatta Tribal Elder, she enjoyed taking trips with the elder community. She was a skilled artist in longleaf pine needle and raffia basket weaving, and she loved weaving baskets with her friends every Wednesday. Some of her happiest moments were spent at home, when friends and family stopped by for visits, weaving baskets with her sister Susie, and playfully competing over word searches with Barb, Loren, and Susie, though she would never win against Susie, much to her frustration. She absolutely loved her daily comedy show with Devin. His quick wit paired with her playful personality made for nonstop laughter. She enjoyed life's simple pleasures, such as cooking for friends and family, sipping a few good cups of coffee, indulging in popsicles and snacks, Chinese food, and boiled crawfish. She also made the best fry bread. She loved the comfort of home just as much as the thrill of running the roads, window shopping, and being brought to go look at antiques. She loved watching KPLC News and Dateline and always tried to get back home in time to watch Wheel of Fortune with her sister, Susie. She found humor in reality TV, such as in The Bacheloras well as The Bachelorette. She also enjoyed watching the cooking shows Chopped, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, and especially, Guy Fieri's Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives. Her faith and strength were unwavering, and she deeply cherished her relationship with God. She found joy in attending church at Elton Assembly of God, reading devotionals and her bible, spending time in prayer, and watching preaching. She is deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved her, including family, friends, her tribe, her church family, and many others who knew and loved her.

Those left to mourn her passing and who will forever cherish her memory include her two sons: Burley Sylestine and his wife, Angel, of Iota, LA; and Nathan Sylestine and his girlfriend, Courtney, of Scott, LA; her sister, Susie Bond of Elton; twelve grandchildren: Devin Sylestine; Ashley Perkins and her husband, Zack, of League City, TX; Jordan Sylestine and his wife, Jill, of Basile, LA; Sidney Veillon and her husband, Joel, of Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Joushua Sylestine; Jeremy Sylestine; Donna Sylestine; Quensija Sylestine; Macy Goodness and her husband, Aaron, of Lafayette, LA; Spencer Bihm and his fiancée, Rebecca, of Baton Rouge, LA; Grace Bihm; Connor Bihm; ten great-grandchildren: Michael Perkins, Mila Perkins, Ava Sylestine, Taegan Veillon, Leia Veillon, Riley Sylestine, Donny Sylestine, Blayson Harmon, Kash Sylestine, and Henry Goodness;  as well as honorary daughter-in-law, Terri Clark; nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Della Sylestine; her first husband, Woodrow John, fiancé Benny "Buggy" Celestine, and her second husband, Fernest "Pap" Reed III; one son, Donny Sylestine; three brothers: Leroy Sylestine, Delson Sylestine, and Carl "Kono" Sylestine; and her beloved dog, Lizzy, who brought her much joy, companionship, and laughter.

Pallbearers honored to serve are Burley Sylestine, Devin Sylestine, Jordan Sylestine, Jeremy Sylestine, Spencer Bihm, and Zack Perkins.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, in the Reed Chapel at Riley Smith & Sons, 315 N 14th Street, Kinder, Louisiana. Rev. Dustin Miller will be officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service at St. Peters Cemetery, Elton, Louisiana.