Gatlinburg staple known as “Bunny” retires from the Historic Gatlinburg Inn

(GATLINBURG, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – She served gusts to Gatlinburg for decades and now plans to retire from greeting guests who return year after year to see her.

Edith Reed is known to millions as “Bunny” and attended school at the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School in Gatlinburg. She got her start in the hospitality industry at 11 years-old when she started to work in her parents’ restaurant, Tommy’s Restaurant. She said her parents reminded her to “be nice” and she’s turned that into a way of life.

“Bunny” worked at the Ramada Inn for 29 years, building a reputation for kindness, dedication and genuine care for others. Rather than retiring 14 years ago, she decided to stay active and has served guests with that same nice attitude at the Gatlinburg Inn

Monday, the community gathered to celebrate a lifetime of service, kindness, and the countless lives she touched simply by being herself. Her legacy will forever be part of the Gatlinburg Inn, and she will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

“If you’ve never met Edith, it’s well worth the trip to stop by and say hello. She is, without question, one of the sweetest human beings you will ever meet and truly the heart and soul of the historic Gatlinburg Inn. Guests remember her by name and fondly recall the warmth, laughter, and special memories she helped create during their time in Gatlinburg,” hotel leadership said about her.

“I needed to work and my friend Glenda worked her and called me and it was perfect because I wasn’t working that summer,” Reed said. “I love to see a familiar face walk through the door. I absolutely love it. It makes me happy that they are coming. I love the hotel, it’s precious.”

Bunny will turn 88 in March, so many can certainly understand why she would want to retire. Co-workers said “it hurts just the same to know we have lost such a valuable member of our team.”