Michael Booker T. Reed Program

Celebrating the Life of

Michael Booker T. Reed

Remembering Michael

Michael Booker T. Reed was born on December 1, 1953, in New York City, New York to Jessie C. Reed and Booker T. Reed. He spent many of his formative years split between Edisto Island, South Carolina and Harlem, New York. He received his early education in the New York City public school system, of which he graduated from George Washington High School. Michael went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from the College of New Rochelle in 1983.

Michael was a faithful member of Convent Avenue Baptist Church. He became a member on June 3, 1973. Michael is a third generation “Kingdom Builder”. His grandmother, Margaret Manigault, mother, his mother’s six brothers and 300 other charter members marched up the hill to establish Convent Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. John W. Saunders. Michael was profoundly proud of his legacy and carried it on into various activities and offices within the church. Mostly recently, he was the Co-Chairman for the 75th Anniversary at Convent Avenue Baptist Church, in which he oversaw every aspect of the events over a 6-month span. He was also instrumental with the Re-Entry Committee in which he was charged to ensure all congregants were comfortable and felt safe to return to church as the pandemic died down. Michael was an active participant of Sunday School Class A-5, where he carefully expressed his views based on his Christian experiences. At Convent, Michael also served one term as the Men’s Ministry President. He was also a member of the Male Usher Board. Like his mother, Michael was also a member of the Progressive Club. Michael’s crowning achievement was being the first Chairman of the Trustee Board under our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams, Jr. Trustee Reed always insisted on establishing and maintaining order in church finances.

Let’s not forget to mention, Michael loved to sing and loved classical music!!! He was a tenor on the Sanctuary Choir for 51 years and twice served as the choir’s President. Michael enjoyed singing to the Lord every Sunday on the “best choir” in Convent. For a brief period, Michael was also a member of the Voices of Convent. His favorite anthem to sing was Let Mount Zion Rejoice. Michael also enjoyed singing and listening to Handel’s Messiah and Giacomo Puccini’s Vissi d’arte from the opera, Tosca. Music was an intricate part of Michael’s life and gave him peace during his brightest and darkest hours.

We have to mourn the loss of one we would’ve loved to keep  But God who surely loved him best  has finally made him sleep

Remembering Michael

Michael was devoted to service and community his entire life. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in NYC; he was also a member of Area 145, Inc. which provided childcare services and other services to the Harlem community. Service was not only a passion—it was also his career. On March 7, 1988, Michael began his lengthy 34year career with the City of New York’s Department of Homeless Services. Also known as Mr. Reed to his staff and colleagues, Michael was a legend in the Homeless Shelter Community to everyone.

Mr. Reed worked his way from being an Operations Coordinator to running Atlantic Assessment Shelter, one of the largest Men’s Shelters in New York City, as its Shelter Director. He held that position for over a decade. Mr. Reed was known for running a tight ship as he was a no-nonsense, unshakable leader that was very hands-on in all aspects. He was also a rule breaker who made decisions that would best serve the men in the shelter and his staff. ough he was a stern and thorough manager, he had compassion and enjoyed relaxed quality time with his staff, especially cook-offs, in which he always made his famous barbecued pig feet and red rice. Michael was also known as a jokester to those of his employees—whom he loved. e Atlantic Assessment Shelter and the City of New York Department of Homeless Services applauds his many contributions, years of service, dedication, and care. He will be sorely missed.

Of all Michael accomplished in New York City, he dearly loved Edisto Island, South Carolina, the home of his father. Michael loved it so much that he had custom Edisto license plates. He spent every summer of his childhood there and enjoyed exploring every road on the island with his cousins. Michael always felt like he was a country boy at heart. Edisto Island gave him great peace and joy. It was his true home.

Without question, Michael’s most glorious triumph occurred on December 16th at 10:45 P.M. at Mount Sinai Hospital when he met his Savior face to face.

Michael was considered by most to be the family historian. He knew EVERYTHING! With him goes a treasure of information that spanned the family’s history from the 1800s to the present. Michael bridged the family together, as he was well-loved and known by all generations of our family both in South Carolina and New York. In his spirit, let’s continue to actively bridge the gap.

Michael Booker T. Reed leaves to mourn his daughter, Andrea Reed and her mother, Mary Hines; his uncle, Larry Mack; first cousins, Ida Humphrey, Charles Mack, Leonard Mack, Jr., Oliver Mack, Leonard Mack, Margaret MackLawson, and Linda Mack-Lewis; second cousins, Sadie Abraham, Leroy Dickerson Jr., Adrienne Lewis, Ernest Mack, Charlotte Meggett, Juliann Morrison, Dolores Orianzi, Margaret Shannon, and Edith Singleton; a host of cousins including Ella Bligen, Katie Dickerson, eresa Hilliard, Eddy Meggett, Eric Meggett, Richard Meggett, Michelle Reed, Ricardo Reed, Sr., Chaneil Stokley, Cynthia Webb, and numerous dearly beloved cousins; honorary family members, Peggy & Requithelia Allen, Kay Feaster, Velda Graves, La-Tonia Jackson, Heather & Bella Joiner, Kim Miller, Elizabeth Richards, Brenda & Edward Rone, and Cynthia Smith.

Michael also leaves to mourn a host of family, friends and colleagues in New York and in South Carolina.

“The comfort of having a friend may be taken away but not that of having had one.” Seneca

We have to mourn the loss of one we would’ve loved to keep

But God who surely loved him best  has finally made him sleep

Only what you do for Christ will last.

“But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Phillipians 3:20-11

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” Maya Angelou

God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be So, he put his arms around you And whispered, “Come to Me” With tearful eyes we watched you And saw you pass away. Although, we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hardworking hands are at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

Words of Gratitude

e family of Michael Booker T. Reed would like to express our deepest appreciation for the many expressions of love, kindness, and concern during the time of his illness and passing. God Bless You.

Honorary Pall Bearers

Anthony Dickerson

Robert Dickerson

Donald Dyce Isaac Hodge

Internment

Alvin Jones

Michael Reed Dantarius Stokley

Carl Young

The Evergreens Cemetery 1629 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207

Acknowledgments

The family of Michael Reed would like to express their sincere thanks for all the many prayers, acts of kindness, expressions of sympathy and love which have been extended to them during this time.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to: Benta’s Funeral Home, Inc. 630 St. Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10030

Funeral Printing and Design Entrusted to: MLD Communications, “The Very Best In Desktop Publishing for over 25 Years” Rev. J-Anthony & Madelin Dargan (973)783-6198 | mldcomm@aol.com