Donald Edward Reed, Sr. was born in old Warrington to John Reed Sr. and Josephine White Reed. Donald attended Judy Andrews Elementary. When his father became ill, he went to work with his mother’s privately owned sanitation company, Reed’s Sanitation, during the 1950’s. Donald continued working with his mother and held positions as early as age 14 as a school bus driver, and he also loaded movie reels in the local movie theater. He left home at the age of 17 and bought his frst home.
Donald was an extremely hard worker and had a natural knack for business. He went to work for Concrete Supply Company until he took over the family sanitation service. He also worked with his brother, John, at Benboe Funeral Home which sparked his interest in the funeral industry. As the years progressed, he became the frst African American man in Pensacola to start his own vault company, Reed’s Vault Company. In conjunction with his sanitation service, he merged the two companies and established Reed’s Sanitation and Vault Company in the early 1960’s. He continued operation into the 1990’s. He also owned China’s House of Flowers. Donald had a remarkable work ethic and rarely missed a day of work. In fact, he once owned an airplane and it is believed that he purchased it as a way to get back to work quicker when he took his family to visit his sister-in-law in Atlanta.
He continued serving the Warrington area well into the 1970’s when he and his brothers opened and operated Reed’s Funeral Home. He later became the sole owner and eventually opened a second funeral home, Baldwin Community Chapel, in Bay Minette, AL.
As a result of his hard work and extensive business knowledge, Donald was the frst African American to secure a contract with Pensacola Naval Air Station for sanitation services. He was also awarded three contracts to become the exclusive vault vendor for Barrancas National Cemetery.
Donald’s wife, the late China Pearl Reed, became a member of Jack and Jill of America Inc. to connect with other prominent black families within their community. Donald joined the Father auxiliary and helped with service projects throughout the Pensacola community, assisting and providing his services in any way that he could.
As a long-time Black business owner, Donald used his knowledge to help other young men, within his family and in the Warrington community, by providing them with jobs and teaching them the art of repairing and restoring cars, trucks, making vaults and digging gravesites. He also taught them the art of working with their hands and the importance of keeping the Warrington community clean. He trained and hired them with heartfelt enthusiasm. His unselfsh acts of kindness and the love he exhibited for his community provided opportunities to many who may have struggled to get opportunities elsewhere.
Upon accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age, Donald became a member of First Baptist Church, where his mother was one of the Founding Members. He served as Chairman of the Trustee Board for more than 20 years and served as an unoffcial consultant for the new edifce.
With the notoriety that Donald Reed had within the Warrington community, one would think that he would have had connections to very important people. One of his most prized possessions was the letter from President Biden recognizing his 86th birthday.
Donald leaves a legacy of love and work ethic to: His children, Katrina Thomas (James), Dawn Brockington (Alvin), Sonya Bailey (R. Xavier), Donald “Donny” E. Reed, Jr. (Stacey), Eric Sr. (Sharon), James H. Agee, Jr. (Karen), Jwanna Lacount (Terrence), 29 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, several devoted sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The Warrington community will miss his presence and all his accomplishments as a businessman.
Procesional
Clergy and Family
Prayer of Comfort
Bishop E. L. Locke
Song of Praise
First Baptist Revival Choir
Old Testament
Rev. Gary Reed, Sr.
New Testament
Dr. James Baskin, Sr.
Words of Comfort
Rev. C. Marcel Davis
Musical Secton
Dr. Lonnie Easter, Sr.
Song of Praise
First Baptist Revival Choir
Resolutons and Acknowledgement
Sis. Daisy Young
Reflectons
As a member
Dea. Willie Hollins
As a friend/Uncle
Rev. Gary Reed, Sr.
Song of Preparaton
Sis. Marilyn Franklin
Eulogy
Dr. James H. Miller, Sr.
