Jeannette Kaye Coleman was born on February 17, 1935 in Port Gibson, MS from the union of Prince Coleman and Inizie Smith. Her mother passed away in 1937.
She was raised by her grandparents, James and Emma Smith, while she attended and graduated from Claiborne County Training School. She moved to St. Louis, where she stayed with her Aunt Beatrice Pickett, and graduated from Vashon High School in January, 1953.
Her father, aunt, and grandparents all preceded her in death.
She married Curtiss Reed in June 1953. From this union, two sons were born: Curtiss Reed, Jr. and Anthony (Tony) Renard Reed. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1968.
Jeannette worked for various companies in the St. Louis area including the St. Louis Public Schools, Ralston Purina, Monsanto and St. Louis University from which she retired in 1997. She also taught business and office education courses at St. Louis Community College and at the St. Louis Public Schools Adult Vocational Education program.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Urban Administration from Washington University in 1980 and a Masters in Business Administration from Webster University in 1984. She is also an alumna of the Women in Leadership Training in Public Affairs of the CORO Foundation St. Louis Center where she later served on the Board of Directors.
Jeannette gave generously of her time as a volunteer to the United Way of Greater St. Louis where she served on various committees from 1980 until 2000 as well as American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) from 1989 until 1992.
Among her many community recognitions she particularly appreciated the “Community Service Award” from the Order of Eastern Star and the “Yes I Can” award from the St. Louis Metro-Sentinel newspaper. She was a member of the Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church.
She leaves behind her sons, Curtiss (Brattleboro, VT) and Tony (Dallas, TX); her daughters-in-law, Winifred and Deborah; and grandchildren, Justin, Kristen, Paxton, Skye, and Jasper. She also leaves behind her brothers, Herman Coleman (Chicago, IL) and Prince Coleman, Jr (Port Gibson, MS), her sister, Leontine Colter (Dayton, OH), and a host of other relatives.
Her final request was that her body be donated to advance the study of medicine. On September 24, 2009 her body was transferred to Logan University College of Chiropractic Medicine.
Her memorial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Wade Funeral Home, 4828 Natural Bridge Ave. Instead of flowers, donations should be sent to The Women’s Safe House, PO Box 63010, St. Louis, MO 63163 or by calling 314-772-4535.