Life story

" Barbara E. Reed
August 26,1949-April 24, 2025

Barbara E Reed, also known to her family and friends as BJ or Jean, was born August 26, 1949, to Plessie L. Wentworth Sr and Pauline Wentworth. in Yazoo, MS. She was the third oldest of 13 children. Plessie and Pauline relocated to Chicago, IL in March 1952. Barbara attended Brown Elementary School and Crane High School on Chicago Westside.

In 1965,Barbara wed in holy matrimony to Randolph C. Reed Sr. To this union two children born Phillisha L. Reed De’sire’e D. Reed. Barbara relocated to Rochester NY in 1973 there is where her youngest child Toshmin D. Reed Sr was born in 1975.

In 1985, the Pacific Northwest would eventually become Barbara’s home. Barbara attended Community AME Zion Church under the leadership of Robert Kemp, in Vancouver WA.

On Thursday April 24, 2025, Barbara was called home. Preceding her in death, are her parents Pauline and Plessie L. Wentworth Sr., siblings Dorothy Powell, Alice Shipp, Plessie L. Wentworth Jr., Caesar, Deniece, Rochelle, Corneilus, Cortez, Paula Ellis-Shipp. Three brother in laws, James Powell, Levi Harris, Yusuf Farrakhan, Two sister in laws, Frankie Wentworth, Diane Collins.

Barbara leaves to cherish two daughters Phillisha L. Manning of Vancouver WA, De’sire’e D. Reed of Aurora, IL and one son Toshmin D. Reed Sr. of Bellwood, IL. Her grandchildren Slyvester and Marcus Manning, Veronica and Charles Collins IV, Toshmin Jr and Maneshaia Bruton. Barbara adopted 3 children. These children are Cornell Gray, Kimwanna Wilson, Veronica Johnson. 9 special grandchildren. 27 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters Jacqueline Kennedy of Longview, WA, Corliss Thompson (Denis)of Vancouver, WA, Michelle Farrakhan of Portland, OR and one brother Michael Wentworth of Portland, OR. One aunt Theresa Crutcher of Memphis, TN one sister in law Lizzest Wentworth of Forest Park, IL and a special cousin/sister Bernice Jackson of Chicago, IL. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins"