Dorothy Marie Reid

On November 4, 2019, surrounded by her loving family, Dorothy Marie Reid made her final transition to live eternally with our Lord God Almighty.

Dorothy (Graham) Reid was born April 28, 1933 in Shreveport, Louisiana to adoring parents Lee & Mable Graham. She shared her parents with 5 sisters and 3 brothers. It was during the historic Great Black Migration from the South that the Graham family decided to leave Louisiana and relocate to the Northwest.  Dad Lee Graham was attracted to the Vancouver/Portland area and they first settled in Vancouver, Washington, working in the shipyards.  In 1943, as World War II ended and the shipyards began closing, the family moved to Portland, Oregon.

Dorothy attended and graduated from Vancouver High School.  While attending school, she became quite an athlete, playing softball and also competing and excelling in many track and field events.  Shortly after graduation in 1951, she married Charles Burks (now deceased).

Dorothy always had a love of caring for others and it came naturally for her to pursue formal training as a nurse.  In 1962, she enrolled at Portland Community College and in 1964, graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Nursing became her lifetime career. She worked for ten years at Providence Hospital in the Cardiology department and worked over twenty years at Kaiser Hospital in the Allergy department until retirement.

On December 9, 1966 Dorothy married Thomas J. Reid.  While this union did end in divorce, Dorothy and Thomas have remained close friends for a lifetime.

Dorothy gave her life to the Lord at an early age being baptized by the late Rev. Andrew A. Newton at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.   She truly loved the Lord and faithfully served in the church’s Nursing Corps.  She loved to sing and sang with the church’s Senior Choir and the Mass Choir. A little-known fact was how much Dorothy enjoyed her passion as a modern dancer. Dorothy also loved playing dominoes, card games and watching sports programs, especially her favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys! One event that Dorothy looked forward to attending in Portland each summer was The Gathering!  It was the highlight of her summer! Seeing old friends at this annual picnic/BBQ and dance brought her so much joy! There were friends who came from near and far to share some of the best stories of growing up, dating, going to parties and just having fun in the good old days!

For many years, the Graham Girls would set out annually to explore great vacation spots and over the years, built wonderful memories.  Dorothy often reminisced about their exciting adventures, scenic places visited and all the new friends they made over the years! After Dorothy’s health began to decline, she was no longer able to travel with her sisters, but she would often share warm reflections! When she could no longer live alone or independently, she began residing with her daughter Jolene and husband, Jerry. During that time, she started attending their church, Northeast Community Fellowship Foursquare Church, always praising God even in sickness.

Being quite the character, her favorite saying is “Anything you can do; I can do better.” However, her unwavering belief in God and Praise is reflected in her favorite life scripture: Psalms 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His loves endures forever.”

Preceding her in death were: Parents: Lee Sr. and Mable Graham; Brother, George Graham Jr; and Sister, Billie J. McKenzie.

Our beloved Dorothy leaves to mourn and cherish her memories, Daughters: Denise Fareed (Abdur-Rahim), Katrina Harvey(James), Jolene Thomas (Jerry), Son, Denmark Reid (Kristie), Extended daughter by marriage, Kelly Hilland (Michael) and Extended son by marriage,  Antone Coleman;  Sisters: Thelma Johnson, Martha Graham-Penn, Shirley Orr, and Patricia Graham; Brothers: Raymond Graham and William Graham. She also has 13 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great-Grandchildren, a great host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and many other Family members and friends.