Oakland

Valeria Jean Reid, 88

Published

7 years ago

June 30, 2018

Valeria Jean Reid, affectionately known as “Libby” to family and close friends, was born to the late Ollie and Emma Mae Reid on Sept. 11, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She entered into eternal life on June 16. She was 88.

Reid was educated in the Cincinnati Public School District. She confessed her faith in Jesus at an early age at Second Corinthian Baptist Church, where she was baptized by the late Rev. Scott White.

She was a faithful member of Second Corinthian for over 60 years, where she became equipped in the Word and participated in numerous activities.

Her love and devotion to the Lord encouraged and led many to seek after and commit their lives to Him.

Underneath her calm presence and peaceful demeanor was a passionate spirit of praise. She loved to worship and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. She modeled a tenacious strength to “count it all joy” and trust in the Lord at all times.

She studied, meditated on, and declared God’s word daily, always including a passage from Psalms in her devotion time. She could often be found enjoying her favorite TV ministry programs, watching a judge show, or completing Bible word search puzzles.

Reid was a wonderful mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to providing and caring for her family. She was a woman of excellence and a woman of grace. She delighted in preparing for each day with her impeccable style, and always maintaining a well-kept and welcoming home. To know her was to love her. She was the family’s beloved matriarch who was overwhelmed by their love to her last moments. She was a vessel of honor, who lived her life set apart for the Lord, The power of her presence and fortitude of her faith will be truly missed.

Reid was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings: Volie Reid, Dorothy Hill, Barbara Lee Johnson, and Melvin L. Reid; and, two sons Daryl Yacob Reid and Terry Darnell Reid. .

She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy her eight children: Larry (Kim) Reid, Regina Reid, Gail (Victor) Sellu, Sharon Reid (Carl Johnson), Gerald (Lori) Reid, Shawn (Latonia) Reid, Andre Reid, and Reginald (Tracy) Reid; five sisters: Lenora Salter, Sherley Reid, Annette (Jerry) Weems, Carolyn McNear, and Serrecia Ervin; two brothers, Nathan (Leola) Reid and William (Elizabeth) Reid; 41 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces nephews, cousins and friends.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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1 week ago

November 28, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 20, 2025

Oakland Post

William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.