Althia Earleen Reed-Johnson

Althia Earleen “Earl or Al” Reed Johnson, entered this earthly life on October 19, 1956, in Sikeston, MO to parents Johnnie White Sr. and Merrian M Brown.

She was baptized on Easter Sunday 1965 at West End Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston, MO, and professed a belief in Christ at an early age. Earl faithfully carried this belief throughout her lifetime.

She graduated from Sikeston Senior High School in 1973.

Althia was married to John Wesley Reed Sr. who proceeded her in death. This marriage produced three children. Adrian James Reed (who also proceeded her in death) John Wesley Reed Jr. and Dejah Elan Reed.

She resided in Waterloo, IA with her husband, children and his extended family. There she faithfully attended church services along with her children and managed a Goodwill store and donation center for many years. She often spoke of how much she enjoyed working with the young adults with disabilities and being of service to her church.

Earl relocated with her two surviving children to Aurora, CO where she joined family and friends. Following the move, she obtained an education in medical transcription.

Al was employed by Qwest corporation, where she was a much-valued employee and made lifelong friends. Her co-workers just loved her southern cooking. Whenever they’d throw a potluck, there was always a special request for Ms Al’s southern dishes! She retired from Qwest in 2014.

At that time, she started working for the state of Colorado as a medical courier. There came a point where that state courier contract folded. Her supervisor and the employees found that suddenly and unexpectedly, they would soon all be out of work.

Her supervisor was offered an opportunity by their manager to help start a new courier service. One that the manager felt would fill a much-needed gap in Colorado. Earl once told us that he said he would only accept that position if he could bring Al along, and he did.

This new position required that she be an independent contractor. So she got her LLC, purchased the necessary insurances and her small business, “SOZO” was born. She worked her small business joyfully until becoming ill in September 2023.

Upon diagnosis (eventually of two terminal cancers) Althia was given 3-6 months to live. But giving all glory to God and with the kind, compassionate and professional care she received through the Rose Health One system, she not only survived but thrived for more than two years.

Earl never met a stranger. She had a very big and outgoing personality. Althia was well known for her joy of life, quick smile, endless optimistic outlook and her sincere, forever faithful belief in God. This she willingly shared with all she came into contact with.

As one of our niece’s once said, one thing you can say for certain and without any hesitancy about Earleen is, “she stood ten toes down with the Lord!”

Earl leaves behind a son, John Reed Jr. and his children, John Marcos Reed (Ada Grande), Makayla Alegria, Josiah Reed, Ralph Alegria (Nicole). A daughter, Dejah Reed and her children, Adrianna Reed-Edwards (Christopher Reed-Edwards), Tyneshia Reed (who proceeded her in death), Parnell Theroith II, (Parnell), and Trevaughn Reed. Sisters and brothers, Lora Pritchett, Willie Mae Brown of Denver, Shirley Tate, Shelby White, Tyrone White (Belinda) of Sikeston, MO, Pauline Lewis (John, deceased), Joseph White (Tonya) of Grandview, MO, Johnny White Jr. (Lenora) who preceded her in death, Alfred White, Sandra Davis (Leonard) who preceded her in death), Pearl Shoats and Johnnie Humphries.

A Memorial Service will be held at Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80010, US, on June 19, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. A Reception will follow at Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80010, US, on June 19, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.