VELMA L REED (JENKINS)

Velma L. (Jenkins) Reed was born in Worcester, MA to the parents of Lewis M. Jenkins and Mary (Armstrong) Jenkins Jones on August 25, 1923. She was the oldest daughter of five brothers Lewis H. Jenkins, William M. Jenkins, Allen E. Jenkins, Rozell Jenkins and Claude Jones and two sisters Audrey York and Sybil Anderson, all who preceded her in death. She was married to the late Louis Henry Reed for 53 years

She was a Commerce High graduate and worked in retail sales.

Velma was very active in the community and was a member of Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church all her life. She was a Trustee, Class Leader for 30 years and a member of the Women’s Missionary Society. Velma was also the Church Clerk for 30 years.

Also, she was an active member of Nokomis Temple #36, the Tripods Club; an organization, which consisted of a local group of 12 women whose three-fold purpose was education, service and recreation as it relates to youth. She was on the committee for the Miss Black Worcester County Pageant from Belmont A.M. E. Zion C​hurch for 9 years. In 2007, Velma ran for Queen at the New England Conference. She was an active member of the Mass Senior Action of Boston, MA. Also, she belonged to the Black Afro-American Group of Worcester, MA.​

She was awarded the key to the City of Worcester for​ her 90th birthday.

She was an active bowler and an avid jazz fan. You could not beat her style of dress. She was nicknamed “The Diva.” Every Saturday night she polished her nails to match the outfit that she would wear to church on Sunday. Also, she loved to eat and never passed up a meal. She became very artistic with artwork and posted her drawings on Facebook. She loved shopping on QVC and HSN. Velma definitely lived her life to the fullest.

In 2018, she moved to California to live with her daughter Linda. She joined New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church in Long Beach, CA. The congregation immediately welcomed her with open arms. She was a part of the Women’s Missionary Society.

Her loving husband Louis Henry Reed preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters Linda Reed (Dominguez Hills, CA) and Claudia Reed (Atlanta, GA). Also, a host of nieces, nephews, and many cherished friends.