Otis Lee Reed

Otis Lee Reed was born to Willie Reed Jr. and Willie B. Jackson on August 2, 1963, in Shelby, MS., and was also raised by Mrs. Lucille Reed and Mr. Clarence Toliver.

Otis accepted Christ at an early age. “Bo”, as he was fondly referred to, attended Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and Agape Missionary Baptist Church, both in Elkhart, IN.

Bo attended Elkhart Memorial High School. He married Marlene Gary on June 19, 1993, in Elkhart, IN. Bo worked at Heartland until his death. His expertise as a grill master was appreciated by all who knew him. He was so good at it that he won many awards.

Left to cherish his love and memories are his six children, Otis Jackson, Shakita Jackson, Shannon Kirkendoll, and Candace Day of Elkhart, IN; Sheldon Kirkendoll of Indianapolis, IN; and Briana Harris of Florence, South Carolina; his loving mother, Willie B. (Clarence) Toliver; 19 siblings, Willie Jackson, Virginia (Willie) Moffett, Darlene (John) Reed-Bloch, Patrick (Crystal) Reed, Tiffany Toliver, Latoya Toliver, Renee Toliver, Melinda Toliver, Audrey (Obidiah) Pratcher, all of Elkhart, IN; Robert Anderson, and Daphane Reed of Duncan, MS; Richard (Marcietta) Reed of St. Louis, MO; JW (Mary) Anderson of Warsaw, IN; Israel Reed of Memphis, TN; Michelle Potts of Ft. Wayne, IN; David Toliver, Charles Toliver, and Johnathan Toliver of Indianapolis, IN; and Steven Toliver of Kokomo, IN; three stepchildren, Mario Mason, Ebony Mason, and Antwain Day of Elkhart, IN; 23 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends; and the love of his life, Tracy Day. He was preceded in death by his father Willie Reed Jr., brother Sergeant Henry Lee Tucker, and all his paternal grandparents.

People in the community would call Bo “Security” due to his parttime work as a security guard. He was a kind person and always giving and helping in the community. He was also the fun-loving jokester always making people laugh, seemingly having a joke for every situation. Bo will forever be in our hearts and thoughts; his larger-than-life presence will never be replaced.

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