Willie Mae Reed ()

Date of birth: Jan 19, 2012
Date of death: Jan 03, 2021

Willie Mae (Mama Reed, Aunt Mae, Granny), was born in Morven, Georgia to Ealia and Willie Davis. She was the oldest of four children and enjoyed being “mom” to her sister Emma, learning to cook, and earning a little money (25 cents) from picking cotton. The family relocated to Tampa, FL, and later to Jacksonville, FL, in 1930.

As a young adult, she was married to Cleveland Body and in the 1940s moved with her two children to Detroit where she later met and married Phillip James Reed, with whom she had two daughters. Willie Mae was a supportive mother and grandmother, loyal friend, loving sister, and a wonderful cook. Most importantly, she was not afraid of hard work.

She led by example and was an inspiration to her family and friends throughout the years. She returned to Tampa in 1969 and worked various jobs over the next 40+ years: Colonnade, Hawaiian Village, US Mortgage (Central Court Apartments), AARP, Sheriff’s Department and Chick-Fil-A. She retired in her late 80s and during that time volunteered at the local campaign office for former President Barack Obama during both his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Willie Mae always stressed the importance of education. Although initially having only a 6th grade education, she had always wanted to earn her high school diploma. She pursued this off and on over the years, despite a brief illness. In 2006, she achieved her goal, and at the age of 88 was the oldest person in Hillsborough County to receive her high school diploma.

Willie Mae was a devoted and faithful member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church serving on the usher board, as well as in Sunday school, afterschool programs, summer programs and the church store. She was a member of the Novellettes women’s club. After retirement, and as long as her health permitted, Willie Mae would walk 1-2 miles a day and would warn, “You gotta keep moving.” She enjoyed “talking” to her Spanish neighbors although she spoke no Spanish.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by Ealia Hamilton (mother), Nora Lee Hudson (daughter), Cleveland Body (son), Emma Jackson (sister), Willard Joe Carter (brother), Joann Hudson (granddaughter), Ira Dais (“sister”) and Bukika Parker (great grand-daughter).

She is survived by daughters Phyllis Reed (FL) and Pamela Reed Brown (NC), sister Thelma Canady (NJ), granddaughters Veda (Kenneth) Sharp (MI), Deborah Jenkins (MI), Rohonda (James) Daniel (GA), Toshiba Thomas (FL), and Sydney Brown (NC), as well as niece Tanya Canady (NJ), great niece Chatiyah Canady (NJ), and nephew Michael Stephens (FL), Great grand children: Bernard Parker III, Kenneth Parker ll, Kendall Parker (MI), Taliqua Reed (GA), Reginald Harvel (MI), Kyle, Kayla, Chris and Mallory Hudson (MI), great-great grandchildren, great nieces, nephews and a host of other family members and friends.