Agnes Gibson Pearson Reading died peacefully in her home on September 2nd, 2025. After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in early July, she elected to enter hospice care in mid-August. It was her wish to remain in her home. She is survived by her two children: Douglas Reading (Kellie Reading), Caroline Miller (Brad Miller), four grandchildren: Katelynn Reading, Brody Miller, Stephen H. Reading, and Logan Miller, and her sister Elizabeth Griffin (Fred Griffin). She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen D. Reading, who passed in May of 2024, and her sister Hannah Adams (John Adams) in July of 2020.
Agnes was born to Edward and Ella Campbell (Coggy) Pearson in Washington, D.C., on May 16, 1944. Her father was stationed there with the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. After the war, they returned to Houston, TX, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Agnes attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she graduated with a degree in finance in 1966. After college and a brief time in San Francisco, she returned to Houston, where she met Stephen D. Reading. After getting married in 1972, they relocated to Stephen’s hometown of Ann Arbor, where they raised their family.
Agnes enrolled in the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where she earned her MBA in 1987. She helped start Automotive Dealer Management Inc. (ADMI) and raised a family while actively engaged in the Ann Arbor community. She was a founding member of the Ann Arbor Junior League. In service with the Junior League, she was involved with the development and construction of the Ronald McDonald house in Ann Arbor and the launching of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. As her family grew up, she took on a full-time role at ADMI, where she was the CFO and managed HR. Along with ADMI and family, Agnes joined the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in 1996. After countless events and projects with Rotary, she was given the Distinguished Service Award in 2016, Rotary’s highest honor. She remained heavily involved with Rotary’s public works to include this month’s Golf, Pickle Ball Extravaganza held at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor. In 2006, she became a member of the local chapter of PEO, an organization supporting women’s education through scholarships, grants, and loans for higher education. She served PEO as treasurer for many years.
Stephen and Agnes traveled the world with multiple trips throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. Their adventures concluded with an African safari with both their children and all their grandchildren in the winter of 2023.
In lieu of flowers, Agnes requested donations be made to Washtenaw Community College’s Overcoming Obstacles Expendable fund. This fund is designated to support students in addressing and overcoming personal, financial, or academic challenges that may hinder their ability to continue or succeed in their educational journey. If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to “Washtenaw Community College Foundation” and in the memo line “In memory of Agnes Reading”. The memo note will make certain your donation is used in the Overcoming Obstacles Expendable Fund. Donations may be mailed to Washtenaw Community College Foundation WCC, Student Center Building, Room 304, 4800 East Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, ATTN Doug Dubin.
Friends and family are invited to witness Agnes’ internment at Forest Lawn in Ann Arbor, Saturday, September 20th, at 1:00 p.m. All are then invited to join Agnes’ celebration of life at The Graduate in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, Saturday, September 20th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
