Margaret L.W. Reed

On Sunday morning, Sept. 12, 2010, in the pre-dawn stillness, Mrs. Margaret Leavelle Watson Reed, widow of Dr. William T. Reed, slipped quietly into eternity.

Born in Clarksville, Tenn., on Sept. 1, 1915, she was the daughter of Martin A. Leavelle and Percilla Belle Leavelle, who predeceased her. She was also preceded in death by her son, John Thomas Watson; sisters, Justine Bruner, Katherine Roberts, Clara Leavelle and Cynthia Leavelle; sister-in-law, Berethenia Leavelle.

A charming, captivating child who excelled in school, Margaret became a comely, artistically talented young lady. Her thirst for knowledge and desire to teach children led her to the pursuit of academic excellence and a life of scholastic achievement and service. Upon her graduation from Burt High School in 1933, she enrolled in Tennessee State University, a segregated Land Grant College in Nashville, Tenn. Four years later she "Graduated with Highest Distinction" from college. She was also inducted into the Phi Beta Tau Chapter, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and the American Dietetic Association. Armed with a B.S. degree in technical home economics, she was hired by TSU as an assistant teacher in 1937. Two years subsequently, while employed as a food and nutrition teacher at Prairie View College, Prairie View, Texas, she completed her thesis: "A Study of Factors Affecting the Specific Gravity of Food Mixtures." She received her M.S. degree in food and nutrition (registered dietician) and child development from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, in 1938.

While pursuing her education and participating in job and church-related activities, she traveled extensively throughout the contiguous United States, Canada and Mexico. She performed advanced post graduate study at Prairie View College; Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.; and Virginia State College (University). She also earned certificates in methods of teaching chefs,tailoring, millinery and cake decorating. Always intellectually inquisitive, Margaret took numerous continuing education courses, among them physiology, anatomy, art for teachers, math for teachers, reading for teachers and child development. She never tired of reading and learning new things.

During a career spanning five decades, Margaret lived in several different communities, ranging far afield from her rural beginnings. She taught food and nutrition at Prairie View College, Texas; Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo.; and North Carolina Central College (University), Durham, N.C. She taught commercial foods at Virginia State University for five years; served as acting director of home economics for one year at Morgan College, Md.; and director, home economics and food and nutrition at St. Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Va. She held supervisory positions in the nursery/elementary school programs at Prairie View College (1945-1947) and Virginia State University (1955-1956). Margaret retired in June 1978, after teaching in the Chesterfield County, Va., school system for 16 years.

Margaret was a devout Christian. She loved the Lord; she loved to serve Him and let her light shine in her daily life. She was confirmed at St. Titus Episcopal Church, Durham. N.C., on June 1, 1949. On May 30, 1953 she, transferred her membership to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 228 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va., remaining a communicant there until her death. At the age of 80 years old, she officially became a "Diamond" of the church, although she had long been a precious jewel in St. Stephen's crown. A faithful congregant, Margaret supported her church with her prayers, presence, her tithes and offerings; not to mention her lighter than air yeast rolls, the feathery, mile-high cakes and other delectable dishes that became staples of St. Stephen's feasts.

While her children were growing up, she taught them to serve by her example of teaching an elementary church school class, volunteering as an advisor to the Girl Scout troop, being a very active mom in the Jack & Jill Club of America, and observing the sacraments and teachings of the church. Through the years she manifested her commitment to St. Stephen's by functioning as treasurer of the Golden Age/Gold Card Club; vice chairman, Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Petersburg Convocation; chairman, ECW Petersburg Convocation; parish vice president, St. Stephen's ECW; senior warden, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; member, St. Stephen's diocesan representative member, Department of Missions; Lay Ministry Commission, Diocese of Southern Virginia; and chairperson, nominations, Diocese of Southern Virginia. On Sept. 13, 1987, she was received into the Order of the Daughters of the King, an Episcopal order of prayer and service. It was a high point in her walk with Jesus and her prayer ministry.

A long-time resident of Ettrick, Va., Margaret Reed was very much a citizen of Chesterfield County and the Petersburg/Tri-City area. She was a member and former chairperson of the Zimmer House Board of Managers. She was a volunteer with the Junior Red Cross, and Girl Scouts of America, she also devoted time to the elderly as a member of the Planning Council of the Gillfield Crater Nutrition Program and the Senior Citizens Council of Petersburg Planning Commission. Licensed by the IRS, she provided tax assistance to senior citizens for several years.

Until she was well into her 80s, Margaret maintained a challenging schedule of activities, chauffeuring herself around town wherever she needed to go. In addition to her church and community activities, she belonged to several bridge clubs, including The Collegiate Bridge Club, the Big Slammers and The Twelve of Us. Her professional affiliations included the American Teachers Association (ATA), Virginia Teachers Association (VTA), American Dietetic Association (ADA), National Education Association (NEA), Virginia Education Association (VEA), Chesterfield Education Association (CEA). She was a life member of her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Margaret was the epitome of elegance and grace. She was always beautifully attired, dressed stylishly in clothing of her own creation. She delighted in cooking, baking, sewing and maintaining an immaculately tasteful home. Her favorite things were her family, her church, and her friends.

She will always be loved and remembered, but sorely missed, by her daughters, Katherine W. Coles and Deborah W. Broadus (Kevin); grandchildren, Robert Miles, Bryon Coles, Kevin Coles, Kara Broadus and Brian Broadus; great-grandchildren, Teya Miles, Chris Tatum, Tyler Gatlin, Chase Gatlin, Bryon Coles, Bryonna Coles, Khalia Coles, Kamiya Coles, Bryce Broadus, Jade Broadus, Moian Broadus, Brian Broadus II and Tamisha W.; nephew, Reginald Sallee (Fayna); great-niece, Claudette Sallee; great-nephew, Thomas Sallee; former son-in-law, Archie Coles Jr.; her loving aides, Gale Hunter, Yvonne Smith, Gwendolyn Williams and Betty Crawley; her loving lifelong friend, Evelyn Jemison; a host of deeply cherished friends and numerous other devoted relatives and friends whose lives she touched.

A Requiem Mass will be held noon Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 228 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va. The interment to follow at the Blandford Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon the day of the services at the church.

An Omega Omega service will be performed by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. from 6 until 7 p.m. on Friday at the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc.

The family will also receive friends at 20509 Southlawn Ave., Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling (804) 526-9487.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Reed