Reed Alexander Springer, a 17-year-old student from Marietta, Georgia, unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. His passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, and the Cobb County community, including those at Cobb Online Learning Academy where he was a respected junior.
Born on September 28, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, Reed was the beloved son of John and Lauren (Rumrill) Springer and the younger brother of Victoria Springer. While his family filled his world with immense love, support, and joy, Reed’s sensitive nature made navigating the complexities of the world challenging for him. He harbored a wish to remain a carefree and joyful child, and it is this spirit that will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
Reed was a dedicated student at Cobb Online Learning Academy High School, where his academic achievements earned him a place on the honor roll multiple times. He was a bright and inquisitive mind with a particular passion for history. Reed dreamed of dedicating his career to preserving and sharing the past by working in a history museum, an aspiration that reflected his deep appreciation for knowledge and learning. His time at Cobb Online Learning Academy fostered this intellectual curiosity and provided him with a flexible learning environment that suited his individual needs.
Beyond his academic pursuits at Cobb Online Learning Academy, Reed was known for his warm and friendly demeanor. He was a true neighborhood ambassador, greeting everyone with a wave, a smile, or a cheerful fist bump. His friendly nature extended to the animal kingdom as well; he was a self-proclaimed “professional dog greeter” and a gentle “cat cuddler” to his feline companions, Mia and Ella. Reed found joy in simple pleasures, such as building forts, collecting interesting sticks on his daily walks through his cherished community, and interacting with the friendly faces and furry friends who returned his affection. His parting words to everyone he met were a cheerful, “Have a great day!” reflecting his innate kindness and positive outlook on life.
Reed deeply valued his connections with family, friends, and neighbors. He treasured the time spent with his friends, holding those relationships dear. His interests were diverse and reflected his youthful enthusiasm: pirate movies, LEGOs, superheroes, comic books, and World War II history all captured his imagination. He enjoyed the immersive worlds of video games and had a playful sense of humor, appreciating puns and knock-knock jokes. Reed also loved the joy of wedding dances, the playful excitement of NERF battles, and the creative fun of making silly movies with his friends. His love for his cats, Mia and Ella, was immense, and it brings comfort to imagine him now reunited in Heaven with his childhood cat, Calvin.
Reed is survived by his loving parents and sister, his grandparents Tom and Lyn Rumrill, and John and Lorraine Springer. He is also remembered by his uncles and aunts: Allen and Angela Springer (along with Abi (Cam), Nate, JinAh, and Jay), and Tonia and Jerry Nelson (along with Maya, Vanessa, and Omar), as well as numerous extended family members, friends, and beloved pets.
A service to celebrate Reed’s life will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Marietta Funeral Home, located at 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA 30066. The family welcomes attendees to dress comfortably, and encourages wearing green, Reed’s favorite color, in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Reed’s name to Good Mews, a local cat rescue organization, or to a teen suicide prevention nonprofit of your choice. In remembrance of Reed’s kind spirit, the family also encourages acts of simple kindness: take a walk on a trail, build a fort for neighborhood children, and greet passersby with a cheerful “Have a Great Day!” so that Reed’s legacy of kindness continues to touch the lives of others.
