"The LORD is ...

As the songwriter said "If you don't know me by now" well, you missed out. I decided to tell my own story. I was born November 4, 1959 in Denison TX at exactly 12:00 noon. (Wednesday's Child) at the Denison Medical Clinic, (bet you didn't know that did you?). And although I was Texas born, I was Oklahoma bred. The Texas side of me would slap you flat, but the Oklahoma side would reason there was no other way to easily resolve the issue. Yes, that was BTL- (Before the Lord).

I lived in Colbert the early years of my life, but due to health issues, (I had asthma) my mother moved me to Phoenix AZ. I attended T.G. Barr Elementary School and South Mountain High School before moving back to Colbert and graduating from Colbert Public School in 1977. I would return to Colbert throughout my childhood, not knowing the impact that small town would have on me and vice-versa.

I gave much credit to my mother for putting me on that Greyhound, with Aunt Clemmie to get out and find out about my world and to my Grandma for keeping me in touch with my roots.

After graduation, I worked as an in-home caregiver for many of Colbert's elderly residents, y'all know, the Real Old School- Aunt Pal, Miss Willie Mae Payne, Miss "Tootsie" Lyons, Mr. Cliff Love, just to name a few. They had a story to tell, and dropped some knowledge to pass on.

In 1984, as a matter of fact, on Mother's Day, I turned my life back over to God and joined Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. The church was having a Mother's Day program and my mother was MC. She had me join her for devotion and I remember her nodding to me and saying to the congregation- "see what prayer can do?" I did not go all the way out into the world's cesspool, just put my toes in the water, but I found out then, the world didn't really have anything to offer. Under the guidance of Rev. Joe B. Dawson, he promptly installed me in the position of Announcing Clerk. Go figure, I liked to talk!

I moved to Houston in 1989, and that was my separation and preparation time. When you are a child of God- change is inevitable First seed of wisdom on this turn in the road -situations change, God does not. Remember in "The Ten Commandments" when Moses was out in the desert, and the narrator said " the metal was ready for the Master's hand"? (that's actually my favorite part of that movie) I had some additional training, thinking and re-molding to go through, so that when I returned to Colbert in 1995, I was even more thankful to my mother for putting me on that Greyhound, with Aunt Clemmie. I always said my story was "I was like a wounded dog, destined to return home". Truth is I liked the smalltown atmosphere.

In 1997, I attended and graduated from International Business School as a Medical Office clerk, specializing in transcription. I stayed in that field working in a doctor's office and as an ER registrar at TMC.

Situations change, God does not. Still being molded by the Master, I then worked for a cable company call center, coming up through the ranks from CSR to floor lead, dispatcher and company trainer (told you I liked to talk). After the cable company, I applied at Colbert Public Schools as Cafeteria Manager-the first African-American in that position. Situations change, God does not.

The day before school started, I was standing in the storeroom-overwhelmed-not knowing what I was supposed to do exactly. It is one thing to being in a chain of command and being told what to do but being second in command- my boss was the superintendent- I was lost. Then the separation and preparation came into plan. Looking at all of the food on the shelves, in the freezers, refrigerators and coolers. I asked the Lord out loud "What do I do?" The Lord answered "Follow Joseph's example, when he was down in Egypt", and it became second nature. I was manager for 12 years and was then appointed Child Nutrition Secretary (situations change, God does not) for three more years. I would tell you God had a sense of humor. I didn't have any children, but I fed over 800 every day, and they would be known as "my babies", even after they graduated.

I was then appointed secretary by then Pastor of Hopewell, Dr. E. D Fields Jr, (situations change, God does not) and still in molding and training, it was now necessary for administrative duties for the church. First task-writing a resolution for an Old Soldier gone on to glory. Of course, I asked the only secretary I knew, my mother. She simply said " ask the Lord, He will tell you what to write. So I asked the Master and He answered "Follow the writers' example, write what I tell you to write", and so resolutions became second nature. Not my words, but written by instruction. Later, under the leadership of Rev. Chris Thornton Sr., I was appointed Sunday School teacher. Go figure, I used to HATE school!

You had to appreciate my sense of humor, sometimes not really knowing how to take me. Always looking at a situation with a different point of view, that often came out funny. I like to think I took after my mother--just wanted you to laugh. With that sense of humor and under my mother's encouragement, I filled the open position of Trustee for Ward 4 and in 1998 my fellow councilmen appointed me Mayor (situations change-God does not) a position I held until 2021.

Easy, it was not- so I turned to the Master- who had been preparing me for every turn on this journey, and I asked him," Well, what do I do now?", because at this point, if He had a sense of humor- I might as well have one too. He answered "follow Solomon's example!" Every time I entered Colbert City Hall, I had already asked Him what to do and prepare me an answer for any question. He never failed me. The decisions I made were not for my benefit, but what the Lord decided needed to be done. I like to think my fellow councilmembers felt the same way.

After leaving the school (situations change-God does not) I returned to the call center environment, and when the facility closed due to Covid-19, all employees became Work At Home contractors. I still had a job, just home-based. But how do you help someone over the phone? When all you can do is listen to their problems. I couldn't send a tech to fix the cable or fix them some food. So when I asked "Well, what do I do now? The Master answered (He's ALWAYS right!) "follow Peter's example at the Beautiful Gate"!

So, while reading this, I hope you have a smile on your face, and if you really knew me, you know I wouldn't have it any other way. So, on (12/10/21) I came to the end of this journey, (there was no more road) so I asked the Lord "What do I do now? He answered "Come with me." As Lewis would say, I went, coming in hot.

Waiting on me: my mother, Mary C Wright, my Grandmother Elizabeth Belt, my brothers Gregory McCollum, Howard Reed Jr, and (you thought I was crazy) - "01' Reed-0" - Franklyn T. Reed, and my dad's- Howard Reed Sr. and step-father Luther Wright.

Leaving to carry on my sense of humor, my niece, Richelle Reed, Millcreek WA, my nephews Drake Shives, Durant, Franklyn Jr and Sean, Bonham TX, my aunts: Bernice Bibbs, Houston TX, Clarice Johnson, Denison TX. my uncles: Charles Johnson, Denison TX, Otis Belt, Hepzibah GA, Doyle Belt, Phoenix AZ and a "whole lotta LiL' Cuzzes". I'm gone, but I'll see you later. Period!

A public visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 28 ^th from 1 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be Wednesday Dec. 29 ^th at 11 A.M. in the Colbert High School Auditorium – 630 N. Collins St. Colbert, Oklahoma. Rev. C. Thornton will be officiating.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Denison, Texas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James E. Smith and the professionals of Waldo Funeral Home. You may sign the online guestbook at waldofuneralhome.com