Claudia J Reid

CLAUDIA JUDINE BARNES REID was born on January 21, 1948 in Hackensack Hospital, Hackensack, New Jersey to Alice Deas Jones Barnes and Earl Barnes, Sr. In her early years, she grew up in the Deas family home in Rutherford, New Jersey and then moved to her Brooklyn, New York home with her parents. It was in that Lexington Street brownstone that Claudia, her parents, and her four siblings Big Shot, Billy (deceased), Monk, and Rosie, who were all born in Brooklyn, grew up.

Claudia was a bright and energetic child who loved playing, going to the beach, the local parks and visiting cousins in Long Island. She was a good student and attended Brooklyn Public Schools; P.S. 25, Junior High School 57, and eventually graduated from Bushwick High School. Claudia and her family attended and were dedicated members of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, as were most of the Deas relatives, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Upon graduation from high school, Claudia began working at the New York Telephone Company, married George Ridley and had a daughter Nichole. After moving to Staten Island, New York, Claudia divorced after ten (10) years, but continued to advance and prosper in her career at the phone company.

Love came again to Claudia when she met and married Ricardo Reid, affectionately called Ricky. The couple had four children, a girl and three boys; Natalie, Jesus, Chris, and John. She was so proud of their many accomplishments, always sharing with family and friends. Her home reflected the pride she had in her children and grandchildren with the many photographs she displayed throughout her home.

Afterwards, while working for A & S and GHI Insurance Companies, she advanced on the job and eventually retired after many years of service. Claudia and Ricky, along with their family then moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia where she became active in her Georgia church, Greater Travel Rest Baptist Church. She enjoyed hobbies including sewing and dancing, but her favorite pastime was traveling. She and Ricky traveled every month to a different vacation destination. They often traveled out of the country, vacationed in resorts, enjoyed going on cruises and a visited a variety of other exotic destinations. In addition, Claudia loved to shop and was an amazing homemaker and hostess. She loved entertaining her family and friends.

Having departed this life on Sunday, July 6th after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Claudia leaves to mourn her husband Ricky of fifteen (15) years, two daughters Nichole and Natalie; three sons, Jesus, Chris and John;, as well as her father Earl Barnes, Sr.- North Carolina; brothers Earl Barnes, Jr. (sister-in-law, Jo Jo) – Georgia; James Barnes (sister-in-law Rene) - Florida, and sister Rose Jameison – Brooklyn; grandson Jo Jo and granddaughter Talia; step daughter Anayansi Reid and granddaughter Kiana, as well as a surviving aunt, Cynthia Ford and uncle, Lester Ford and host of cousins, relatives, and friends, in addition to her three sister-friends; Barbara Ann Allen Ward, Loretta Bennett Curt and Brenda Holder. Claudia is much loved and will be missed by all.