Emma Lee Reed was born July 20, 1938 to the union of Alonzo and Viola Smith in Tupelo, Mississippi. Her siblings Lee Hardy, Robert, Rosie Lee, Letti Bee, Louise, Thelma, Lily Bell, L.C., Charlie, Cal, Edith Mae, and Alonzo Jr. all preceded her in death.

She attended East Saint Louis District 189 schools. She worked very hard over the years but her true passion was to cook. She worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Ms. Hullins Restaurant as a short order cook. She also worked for St. Joseph's Head Start school as a cook.

She confessed her life to Christ in January 1977 at the Original House of Prayer to All Nations in Centreville, IL and later moved to House of Prayer to all Nations in Washington Park, IL where she was a faithful member and the church cook until residing at Lighthouse of Hope Church in Belleville, IL.

She was the true matriarch of her family. She was well respected as the Mother of the church.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Tommie Lee Reed who preceded her in death. On May 24, 2017, God called her home and she made her transition peacefully surrounded by her children.

Mrs. Emma Lee Reed leaves behind to cherish her legacy one sister, Ms. Bernice Walker, nine children, Diana (Joe) Thompson, Verlie (Willie) Jones, Nitta (Brister) Grigsby, Sirrendrick (Wanda) Smith, Carlos (Pasha) Reed, Nakesia (Kennell) Turner, Tommie (Peaches) Reed Jr., Derrick Reed, and Terry Reed who preceded her in death and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to name.