Frankie L. Reid

Reid, Frankie L. ALBANY Frankie L. (Gambrell) Reid, 91, was called home by the Lord on February 27, 2018. Frankie was a 45-year breast cancer survivor. She was known for her acrimony, aphorism and candor. As a child, her family moved from Asheville, N.C. during the "Great Migration" and "Jim Crow" era, settling in Troy, where she later completed her education at Troy High School. She worked at Montgomery Ward, N.Y. Telephone, and the N.Y.S. Department of Corrections, retiring after 21 years in 1989. She was a deaconess at the First Church in Albany; a faithful tither and sang in the church choir. She also donated to many organizations abroad and nationally. In addition to her family, Frankie loved reading, music, singing, and was an avid walker. She was a woman who loved words; playing Scrabble, working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles and the "JUMBLE" in the Times Union. Her holiday food favorites were chitterlings and fatback and she made the best sweet potato pie. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ethel (Robinson) Gambrell; husband, Joseph A. Reid Sr.; daughter, Pamela (Gene) Olsen; son, Joseph A. Jr.; and sisters, DiBirdie, Willie, Johnnie, Bernice, Vivian, Prudous and brothers, Wiley, Prenice, Wallace, and Arthur. She is survived by brothers, Hershell (Trini) and Virda and her sister Frances (Peter) Williams; daughter, Judith (Michael) Catlett; son, David (Lisa) Reid; grandchildren, Erin J. Hundley, Chelsea Reid Catlett, Myles E. and Maya S. Reid; great-grandchildren, Nia E. and Jada S. Etienne, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to give a shout out to her Optometrist, Dr. Carly Goldberg and the third floor E-wing at Albany Medical Center. We couldn't have asked for a more professional and compassionate group. A memorial service will be held in the First Church's Sanctuary on Saturday, March 24, at 1 p.m., repast to be held at her long-time residence immediately following service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Church in Albany, 110 North Pearl St., Albany, NY, 12207 on behalf of Mrs. Reid. Mommy, Grandma and Great-Grandma Karen loved us all unconditionally and will remain, as her favorite singer Nat King Cole sang, "Unforgettable."