Obituary for Johnnie Mae Reed (Dye)
Johnnie Mae Reed was born in Swainsboro, Georgia, on September 23, 1938, to the late John L. Dye and Daisy Bell Green Dye. John and Daisy aspired to have new opportunities. So, when Johnnie Mae was an infant, the family relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida. Johnnie Mae was the oldest of three daughters born to this union (Lorraine Dye and Doretha Dye Long). Johnnie Mae was the leader of the Dye girls’ and she maintained this role her entire life with great pride.
Johnnie Mae grew up with her family on State Street in West Palm Beach, Florida, and eventually moved to the family home built by John L. Dye on 9th Street in Riviera Beach, Florida. Johnnie Mae was in charge of ensuring chores were completed while John and Daisy worked. Lorraine and Doretha were tough to manage, but Johnnie Mae was up to the challenge, which is where she learned her management skills.
Johnnie Mae attended Palmview Elementary School and Roosevelt High School. While attending Roosevelt High School Johnnie Mae began to fine-tune her artistic talents. She played 2nd Clarinet in the Marching and Concert Band, and was a member of New Homemakers Association (NHA) and Y Teens. Johnnie Mae graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957. Spirituality, faith and fellowship were always important to Johnnie Mae. She joined Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida as a young child.
After high school, Johnnie Mae moved to New York City and attended Singer Sewing Academy. Johnnie Mae worked as a seamstress and clerk in an exclusive clothing boutique in Manhattan. Eventually, her long-time childhood sweetheart, the late Thomas Reed, moved to New York. They were married in December 1959. From this union, their only child, Lisa Elaine Reed born in 1962.
Johnnie Mae was adaptive with the times and changed careers. She transitioned to a new career and joined the New York City Transit Authority as a railroad clerk. She was a passionate leader ensuring safety was a priority and eventually promoted to Interlocking Tower Engineer. After thirty years of service with the New York City Transit Authority she retired. A life-long learner, retirement gave her an opportunity to learn new things. Johnnie Mae learned how to use the Internet and her MAC Book, she enjoyed watching basketball, football, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and fashion. She was a devoted member of Kelly Temple COGIC in New York City and a member of the Mission Department until she experienced health challenges.
Johnnie Mae Reed passed on Monday, February 28, 2022, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, surrounded by her loved ones. Preceding her in death are: Thomas L. Reed (Husband), Lorraine Dye (Sister), Doretha Dye Long (Sister) and her parents. She leaves to cherish her beloved daughter, Lisa Elaine Reed of Waltham, Massachusetts, who recently relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with Johnnie Mae Reed; niece, Camille M. Long (Tracey Simmons) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; great-nephews, Johnnie Douglas Coleman (Danielle Robinson) and Miles McArthur Coleman of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; great-great-nephew, JaKobe Miles Coleman affectionately known as Jason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; brother in law, Douglas Long (Doretha-Deceased); sister in law, Kathryn Reed of Los Angeles, California; nieces Dominea Goodman and Angela Quinones; nephews, Luis Quinones and Mister Casteel (Deceased). While in New York, Johnnie Mae developed a spiritual family which included Reginald Porter (Sharon Porter), Elizabeth White (Tony White), and Tim Carver (Enyota Carver); godsons, Carey Hall and Gary Hall of Poinciana, Florida and goddaughter Victoria Porter of Rahway, New Jersey.
As life brought about health challenges, Johnnie Mae was blessed to have long-term caretakers who were like family, Charmaine Henriques and Garnett Blake who provided care in New York City and relocated her to Florida; Yvonne Johnson, Tameka Johnson and Etorya Johnson who provided care in Florida.
Johnnie Mae grew up with her family on State Street in West Palm Beach, Florida, and eventually moved to the family home built by John L. Dye on 9th Street in Riviera Beach, Florida. Johnnie Mae was in charge of ensuring chores were completed while John and Daisy worked. Lorraine and Doretha were tough to manage, but Johnnie Mae was up to the challenge, which is where she learned her management skills.
Johnnie Mae attended Palmview Elementary School and Roosevelt High School. While attending Roosevelt High School Johnnie Mae began to fine-tune her artistic talents. She played 2nd Clarinet in the Marching and Concert Band, and was a member of New Homemakers Association (NHA) and Y Teens. Johnnie Mae graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957. Spirituality, faith and fellowship were always important to Johnnie Mae. She joined Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida as a young child.
After high school, Johnnie Mae moved to New York City and attended Singer Sewing Academy. Johnnie Mae worked as a seamstress and clerk in an exclusive clothing boutique in Manhattan. Eventually, her long-time childhood sweetheart, the late Thomas Reed, moved to New York. They were married in December 1959. From this union, their only child, Lisa Elaine Reed born in 1962.
Johnnie Mae was adaptive with the times and changed careers. She transitioned to a new career and joined the New York City Transit Authority as a railroad clerk. She was a passionate leader ensuring safety was a priority and eventually promoted to Interlocking Tower Engineer. After thirty years of service with the New York City Transit Authority she retired. A life-long learner, retirement gave her an opportunity to learn new things. Johnnie Mae learned how to use the Internet and her MAC Book, she enjoyed watching basketball, football, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and fashion. She was a devoted member of Kelly Temple COGIC in New York City and a member of the Mission Department until she experienced health challenges.
Johnnie Mae Reed passed on Monday, February 28, 2022, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, surrounded by her loved ones. Preceding her in death are: Thomas L. Reed (Husband), Lorraine Dye (Sister), Doretha Dye Long (Sister) and her parents. She leaves to cherish her beloved daughter, Lisa Elaine Reed of Waltham, Massachusetts, who recently relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with Johnnie Mae Reed; niece, Camille M. Long (Tracey Simmons) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; great-nephews, Johnnie Douglas Coleman (Danielle Robinson) and Miles McArthur Coleman of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; great-great-nephew, JaKobe Miles Coleman affectionately known as Jason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; brother in law, Douglas Long (Doretha-Deceased); sister in law, Kathryn Reed of Los Angeles, California; nieces Dominea Goodman and Angela Quinones; nephews, Luis Quinones and Mister Casteel (Deceased). While in New York, Johnnie Mae developed a spiritual family which included Reginald Porter (Sharon Porter), Elizabeth White (Tony White), and Tim Carver (Enyota Carver); godsons, Carey Hall and Gary Hall of Poinciana, Florida and goddaughter Victoria Porter of Rahway, New Jersey.
As life brought about health challenges, Johnnie Mae was blessed to have long-term caretakers who were like family, Charmaine Henriques and Garnett Blake who provided care in New York City and relocated her to Florida; Yvonne Johnson, Tameka Johnson and Etorya Johnson who provided care in Florida.