Emma Blanche Reid

Reflections of Life “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Emma Blanche Bynum Reid known to many as DeeDee was born in Pinetops, North Carolina on March 26, 1933 to the late Arthur Lyman Bynum and Etta Blanche Morgan Bynum. She was the oldest of eleven children, four sisters and six brothers. She learned early in life that she had a lot to do and many to look after. She learned a great deal in the home and found success along the way. Family was her joy and she travelled frequently back to North Carolina. She loved family dinners, holiday events and anytime occasions to unite with family. From a family of preachers, Emma grew up knowing the Lord and was strong in the belief that the family that pray together stay together. In 1955, Emma married the late William (Sonny Boy) Reid and the two moved to the District of Columbia. The young couple were blessed with children, Edward, Tony, Gregory and Julia. The couple moved to the Hillcrest Heights Community in Maryland, where the Reid’s shared sixty-six years of marriage. Mrs. Reid remained in the neighborhood thereafter earning the title of a community icon for fifty-three years. Mrs. Reid was a two-time cancer survivor and fought in the face of incurable odds. She never gave up; she planted her faith, heart and soul in the hands of the Lord and asked him to fight her battle. He did, never failing her. Emma was not only a survivor, she was a faithful devoted wife, loving and dedicated mother, hard worker, responsible and respectful of how things should be done. As a successful entrepreneur in the catering profession, she made life a joy for those around her and a personal joy for herself. After retirement she started a neighborhood social group for senior women. There was a certain joy among the women who looked forward to sharing life events and personal situations. Emma’s home-baked hot cheese biscuits and freshly brewed coffee just added to her commitment to others. She took pride in her home and spoiled her grandchildren, traveled, and had an unforgettable habit of referring to her husband Sonny, as “Mr. Reid”. Sunday mornings found Mrs. Emma preparing for church. She attended Matthew Memorial Baptist Church in Washington, DC and later St. John’s Baptist Church where she served on the Women’s Missionary, ushered, and sang with the Hallelujah Choir. As we all do in time, Mrs. Reid slowed down, stopped driving and found Cornerstone Baptist Community Church a perfect crossing of the street to continue her worship. God provided her with another church home, including a family of peers from St. John’s Baptist Church. She was able to renew lost relationships, enjoy new Christian friendships, and to water her roots in the blessings of the Lord. Emma leaves to cherish her loving memories: Preceding her in death were her parents Arthur L Bynum and Etta M. Bynum; husband, William (Sony Boy) Reid and loving son, Tony Darnell Reid; two brothers, Arthur Thomas and Joe Henry Bynum, and beloved sisters, Alma and Marjorie Bynum. Her children: Sons; Edward Jenkins (Theresa), Gregory Reid (Leslie) and daughter Julia Reid. Seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren and two godchildren. Daughter-In-Law Gwendolyn Reid of Mississippi, Sisters-in-law Ethel Reid and Mattie Bynum of North Carolina, and Brother-In-Law Rhodie Boyd. Siblings; Rufus (Peggy) of Greenville, NC; James “Dwight” (Maxine) of Silver Spring, MD; John (Brenda Ann) of Greenville, NC, Terry Bynum (Cathy) of Falkland, NC; Ellen B. Johnson of Mechanicsville, VA.; and Angel B. Staton (Ronnie) of Robersonville, NC. One aunt: Ernestine Gorham of Greenville, NC; one Uncle; Bill Williams of Norwalk, Connecticut, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, church family and friends. The Dixon Street Community will forever remember the phenomenal Mrs. Emma Reid seated on the stoop in the green chair that replaced the brown bench.

Tributes

Emma Blanche Reid

March 26, 1933 - February 9, 2021