Deaconess Alberta Mitchell Reed was born on August 15, 1931, in Tampa, Florida, to the blessed union of the late James and Annie Mae Mitchell. She was the eldest of eight children: four brothers, Herbert (Sonny), Albert, Ronald, and James Arthur; three sisters, Yvonne, Marjorie, and Cynthia. Alberta received her education in the Hillsborough County Public School System and was a proud graduate of Middleton High School, Class of 1948 — the Mighty Tigers.

In 1964, Alberta began her career in food service with Hillsborough County Public Schools. Through dedication and hard work, she was promoted to Food Service Manager in 1968. After 28 years of faithful service, she retired in December 1992, with her final assignment at Middleton Junior High School. Alberta Reed also known as Deaconess Reed, grew up in the First Baptist Church of College Hill, where she was baptized at the age of 12 by Rev. J.C. Johnson. She loved singing praises to God and joyfully served in the church choir from 1943 onward. Alberta also served as Chairperson of the Junior Usher Board for 30 years and was a devoted Cub Scout Leader for Pack 64 for 42 years. Her remarkable commitment to scouting earned her the distinguished Silver Beaver Award from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, recognizing her many years of exceptional service. Alberta lived a life filled with love, faith, joy, and service. Known for her radiant smile and generous spirit, she was the matriarch of her family — a source of strength, wisdom, and grace.

She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Alberta had a true calling for servanthood, always willing to lend a helping hand wherever she was needed. Even as her health declined, her faith and fellowship never wavered. In 1949, Alberta married her beloved husband, the late Lymon Reed, and together they shared 44 years of marriage. Their union was blessed with two children, Lymon and Cheryl.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Annie Mae Mitchell; husband, Lymon Reed; son, Lymon Reed, Sr; daughter, Cheryl Walker; brothers, Herbert (Sonny), Albert, Ronald, and James Arthur; and sister, Marjorie Dixon.

Alberta leaves to cherish her loving memory: four grandchildren, LeJean "LeLe" Harper (Thomas), Ayanna Reed, Lesley "Trey" Miller III (Theresa), and Lymon "L.J." Reed; five great-grandchildren, Jazmyn Young (Aspen), Thomas Harper (Cierra), Tempestt Harper, Lesley Miller IV, and Kameron Miller; and one great-great-grandson, Asher Young. She is also survived by her sisters, Yvonne Edmonds and Cynthia Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Joanne Reed, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.