Rex Dennis Steed, age 77, a Lowell Legend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with his devoted wife of 57 years, Judy, and the love of his family by his side.

Born on November 6, 1948, in Carroll County, Dennis was the son of the late Rex Dorsey Steed and Margaret Lillian Stallings Steed. He attended Lowell and Roopville schools before graduating from Central High School with the Class of 1967.

For 44 years, Dennis built a respected career in the propane industry, where his strong work ethic, dependability, and knowledge earned him the admiration of coworkers and customers alike. But if you asked him, his life's work wasn't measured by the years he spent in the propane business; it was found in the fields. Farming wasn't simply what he did; it was who he was. Few things brought him more satisfaction than watching freshly cut hay dry beneath a summer sky, climbing onto a John Deere tractor, or seeing the rewards of another season's hard work.

A faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Dennis believed in living a life rooted in family and service to others. For 25 years, he faithfully served his community as a volunteer firefighter, including as Volunteer Fire Chief, always willing to answer the call when his neighbors needed him most. He was also an active member of the West Georgia Two-Cylinder Club, the West Georgia American Truck Historical Society, and several antique car and truck clubs, where he enjoyed sharing his appreciation for antique tractors, trucks, and the friendships that came along with them.

Dennis never met an old tractor he didn't think could be restored or an antique truck that wasn't worth admiring. He and his son spent countless hours working side by side, bringing old tractors back to life and making memories that meant far more than the machines themselves. He loved attending antique car and truck shows, cheering on the Atlanta Braves—win or lose—and he never grew tired of sharing stories from the many hunts he enjoyed through the years. He believed a neatly cut yard was something to take pride in, never passed up a John Deere tractor pull, and if there was a cold Diet Coke in his hand, life was pretty good.

Of all the titles he carried, his favorites were husband, Daddy, and Grandaddy. His greatest blessing was his wife, Judy, with whom he built a beautiful life centered around family and the simple joys of everyday life. Some of their sweetest memories were early morning breakfast dates over a Hardee's or Jerry's Country Kitchen biscuit or their daily gator rides on the farm. Dennis treasured every moment with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Few things brought him more joy than sitting in the stands watching his great-grandson, Raylan, play baseball. Whether it was a regular season game or a championship, Dennis was there quietly cheering, encouraging, and making memories his family will cherish forever.

Dennis will be remembered as the kind of man who never sought recognition but quietly made a difference everywhere he went. He was hardworking, humble, dependable, and always ready to help. He taught those around him that a handshake should mean something, family should always come first, and that life's greatest blessings are often the simplest: a freshly cut hay field, an old John Deere, a Braves game on television, a cold Diet Coke, or breakfast with the love of your life.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Judy Whitman Steed; his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Melanie Steed; his daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Jerry Thomaston; his grandchildren, Logan and Richard Spinks, Baylee and Lane Long, and Jay Thomaston; and his great-grandchildren, Raylan Spinks, Reed Spinks, Evie Long, Baker Long, Luke Thomaston, and Lorie Thomaston.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Elma and John Davis Whitman, Sr., and his brother-in-law & sister-in-law, John "Johnny" Davis & Linda Whitman, Jr.

Though his tractor now rests, his mower sits still, and his seat at the breakfast table is empty, the seeds Dennis planted through his love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family will continue to bear fruit for generations. His family finds comfort knowing he has heard the words every faithful servant longs to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The family will receive friends at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Martin & Hightower Funeral Home with Gary Thomas and Josh Parmer officiating. Interment will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens with Naaman King, Bobby Cook, Joe Harris, Lane Long, Richard Spinks, and Raylan Spinks serving as pallbearers. Jamie Wilkinson, Doug Myers, Austin Culpepper, Rache Crocker, Charles Warren, and Joe Keel will be seated as honorary pallbearers.

Dennis will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Martin & Hightower Funeral Home is honored to serve the Steed family during this difficult time. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com.