Thelma Reid returned to the Lord on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019. She returned home peacefully surrounded by her children and beloved niece. She was born on September 28th , 1935 to the late Cecil and Inez Bent in Cascade District, St. Ann's, Jamaica. She was one of ten children and is survived by her two younger brothers, Alvin and Gideon Bent. She was a loyal young woman who helped her Aunt Ivis run her very successful catering business. She also worked as a conductor on the buses before leaving the Island. Thelma left Jamaica in her twenties and moved to Wolverhampton, England, where she met her late husband Vincent Reid. Thelma and Vincent moved to London where they married, purchased their own home and raised their five children.

Despite having 5 young children to cater for, Thelma worked part time in a clothes factory moving on to work as an auxiliary in 2 hospitals over the years. She had a host of family and friends in London and loved bonding and socializing with them. Thelma lived in London for 17 years and in 1977 she moved to New York.

Mrs. Reid settled well in New York. She occupied her time working domestically for wealthy families in New Jersey and in Manhattan. She loved baseball and she happily worked for years at the Yankee Stadium in her beloved Bronx. She went on to train as a Certified Nursing Assistant and she worked for Provident Rest for over 25 years and also became a United States citizen all while working and raising her family. She retired in 2008. Thelma was a devoted member of the Westchester United Methodist Church where she served her Church and community. She joined the Usher Board, she sang in the choir and she was an active participant in various Church committees. After retirement she relocated to North Carolina in 2011 where she joined 3 of her 5 children. She was delighted to be on hand to help with the upbringing of her beloved grandchildren.

Upon moving to North Carolina, her love of the Lord continued and she found a new Church home at Mount Zion Baptist Church where she became a member. She so enjoyed serving the Lord. Thelma always encouraged her family to read the Bible and pray. As a family we fondly remember Thelma teaching her grandchildren The Lords Prayer over the phone at night, before they fell asleep. Thelma had many talents. She was an accomplished streamstress, she knitted, she crocheted, she made dresses, caftans and so many household items and they were made to an amazing standard. Thelma was an incredible cook who also loved shopping and bargain hunting. She was kind and caring and was extremely sociable, loving to entertain her family and friends.

Mrs. Reid was a woman of extreme strength. She was full of courage. She always showed the tenacity of someone who knew what she wanted to achieve and she would, usually, successfully achieve it. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Sharon Fisher, Donald Reid, Christine Reid, Maxine Reid, and Martin Reid. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and a countless numbers of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

One of mum's favorite verses was always Job 1:21.. ' And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.'

A service honoring her life will be held Friday November 1, 2019 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church; 1301 Alamance Church Rd. Greensboro, NC. Visitation will begin at 11:30am with service following at 12pm. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.