Allen Reed, Sr.

Allen Reed Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 29th in his Portsmouth home. He was born on May 20, 1930, to the late Gabriel and Emily Reed in Dewey N.C. He attended West End High School before enlisting in the Navy at the age of 17. He graduated late in life from Manor High School in Portsmouth, VA. He attended Tidewater Community College. During his military career he served on the USS Holder, the USS Sierra, and several other ships. He also served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Forestine, his only daughter was born in Cuba. He retired after 20 years as Chief Petty Officer. He was Worshipful Master of Alpha and Omega Lodge #46. He retired from the Naval Shipyard after 24 years. He was married at the age of 25 to the late Mary Jane Terry Reed. To that union, five children were born: Donald, Jerome, Ronald, Forestine, and Allen Reed, Jr. In September 1995, he married his present wife, Mary L. Shirley. He made Temple Hills, Maryland his home for three years. While there, he made many friends at the Hillcrest Baptist Church. In June of 1998, his wife came with him to live in Portsmouth, VA. Allen was a faithful member of Zion Bethel Union Church of Christ for many years, where he served with the Deacon Board, Male Chorus, Trustee Board, and Men's Fellowship. Later on, he decided to make a change and he joined First Baptist Church South Hill. He was a faithful member and always loved to attend Sunday School and church. His hobbies were playing Pinochle, playing Bid Whist, bowling, and making homemade ice cream and rolls for all occasions. Allen loved family and was instrumental in starting the Reed, Daniel, and Hargrove family reunion in 1974; he did not miss a reunion since it started. If you wanted to know anything about the family tree, he had the answers. Allen was predeceased by his parents Gabriel and Emily, his first wife Mary Jane Terry Reed, four brothers: Dan, Alexander, Gabriel, and William, two sisters: Ann and Martha, and one grandson: Ronald Rufus Reed, Jr. He is survived by his wife Mary L. Shirley, daughter Forestine Perry, four sons: Donald (Sandy), Jerome (Anettonette), Ronald (Carrie Anne), Allen Jr. (Demeatrice), one brother Robert (Cornelia), one sister Sarah, brother-in-law Alex Terry (Thelma), 21 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Allen Reed, Sr.

May 20, 1930 - April 29, 2023