Earl Reed Sr

Earl Lawrence Reed Sr. was born on January 16, 1956 to the union of Earl Davis and Jimmie Reed-Davis. He was the eldest of four children.

Earl Lawrence received his education through the Detroit Public System and for a short time he worked for Budd Wheel Factory and Chrysler. He also worked for his late aunt and uncles where he developed a passion for demolition. Some years later he owned and operated his own demolition company.

Earl Lawrence was married twice. His first marriage was to Peggy Ann Williams and that union was blessed with three children.  His second marriage was to Nancy Reed and that union was blessed with another three beautiful children.

Earl Lawrence loved his children and they loved him. Those who knew him best knew he had a special bond with each of his children. For whatever reason they all had nicknames; Papoose, Babygirl or Fatty, Showers, Big Boy, Skinny and Tankers.

He loved to listen to music. He would turn the stereo on in the morning to wake his children for school. One song in particular he would play was Love Woke Me Up This Morning, by The Temptations. He enjoyed cooking for his family and sharing childhood memories with them. Some of his stories were so comical that over the years his children would ask him to please tell the stories again.

Earl was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on December 15, 2001. He served as a regular publisher who loved to tell others about Jehovah God. He enjoyed working in the ministry with his younger children and his friends from the East Warren Congregation.

He was considered the favorite in his family. His siblings would say so, even his nieces and nephews acknowledged it. He was the only person in his family that referred to his mother as “Jim” and no one questioned why. Not even his own mother.

For the past four years Earl Lawrecne was battling with a number of health problems. On April 17, 2020 he succumbed to his illness. Earl believed in the hope of the resurrection and if he fell asleep in death it would only be for a little while.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his children Lawrence Shipp (preceded him in death), Andrea Shipp, April (John) Hazuka, Earl Reed Jr., Rebekah Reed and Sarah Reed; granddaughter Lauren Shipp; Parents Earl Davis (preceded him in death) and Jimmie Reed-Davis; Siblings Roslyn (Darrell) Cotton, Miles Davis (preceded him in death), Cheryl (Antonie) Kyser, Charles (Tanisha) Davis and Sivad Davis; Aunt Louella Lewis; Sister in law Valerie Davis; Nieces and nephews; Grant IV, Alicia (Bruce), Blair (Norman), Kimberly, Jeremy, Miles II, Antoine II, and Caitlyn; and a host of other family and friends.

Due to unprecedented circumstances, no public memorial service will be held. In place, there will be a zoom memorial service on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. (EST).

The Zoom ID and password will be provided by the Field Service Group Overseers and the Family directly. If you are not able to join the zoom meeting online please use the dial in service and listen over the phone. The dial in service is provided below.

Dial by your location

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US