Submitted by: Dan Rich

Reedie Cogdell

Aug. 23, 1904 - Jan. 20, 1999

South Bend Tribune 1/28/1999

Reedie Folks White Cogdell, 94, was born on August 23, 1904 to James and Mahaley Evans in Montgomery, Ala. She was the eldest of twelve children. Because her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Folks, had lost a daughter, they took Reedie and reared her to adulthood. She completed her elementary and secondary education in Alabama. In later years she graduated from cosmetology school in South Bend and owned a beauty shop.

In 1923, in Birmingham, Alabama, she married Creed Jarrett, and they moved to South Bend, Ind. Elder Jarrett died in 1935, and in 1937 she married Frederick McKinley White who died in 1956. In 1972, she married Mr. Gus Cogdell who died in 1991. Upon moving to South Bend, she and her husband Creed were baptized at Midway Gospel Tabernacle (the Early Apostolic Temple); however, as a child she was a devout Baptist. After being saved, she and her husband transferred to a Mission Church, Bethel Tabernacle in South Bend. Her walk with Christ never wavered. After her marriage to Frederick White, she returned to Midway Tabernacle, now Apostolic Temple. There she gave her best to the Master - submitted completely to the teachings of the church. She taught her faith by example. Among her favorite activities were singing in the choir (40 years), teaching Sunday school and making her delicious rolls and salads for church conventions.

She loved her maker and her fellowman. She proved this by her activity in the community. She was an ardent member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and on the day of her death received her Golden Heritage Award. This organization works to bring about understanding, peace and harmony among races. She was a member of the Mayor's Older Adult Council, and for years she worked with the Legal Aid Society.

Her love of children led her to become a foster grandparent; she volunteered on playgrounds each summer. The children adored her. That love also led her to begin keeping babies for adoption in 1973. All her babies were adopted and did well. That also fostered harmony, because she was the first woman of her race in Indiana to have children of the majority race for adoption. Reedie was a member of the St. Pierre Ruffin Club, a Literacy Guild founded in 1900. She enjoyed the camaraderie with those women and with the Interstate Club consisting of church women from two states, who loved God and worked to carry His message to respective communities.  Mrs. Cogdell was the first woman of her race to be employed as a seamstress at Ball Band, later Uniroyal, during World War II. There she was known not only for the competency, but also as a Christian and a peacemaker.

Reedie leaves one sibling, Clifton Folks, of Detroit, Mich.; her daughter, Ruby Jarrett Joyce (Henry L.) of Herndon, Va.; and a loving foster daughter, Vola Dover Hall (Judge Calvin H. Hall) of Chicago, Ill. Her other foster daughter, Delores Dover Jennings died in 1983. Delores had six children, four are living. From Ruby, Reedie has four grandchildren, Henry L. Joyce, Jr. of New Orleans, La, Paula Marie McDonald (Jasper) of Springfield, Va., Martha Karen Herndon, and Michael B. (Renee) of Cleveland, Ohio. There are four great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Vola has one son, Dr. Calvin H. Hall, Jr. (Linda) and two grandchildren, Cortney and Cristen of Chicago. From Mr. Cogdell were two children, Alice Jan Wilson (Milton) of South Bend and Lorenzo Cogdell of St. Louis, Mo. There are two grandchildren, Rhonda and Milton.

Reedie's smile, love, warmth, wit, candor and eagerness to help anyone will be missed. Her grandchildren will especially miss her goodies and her unconditional love. She leaves may loving nieces and nephews in Detroit and a special group of Jarretts and Thomas's in Indianapolis. Many, many people have already begun telling stories about ways she had helped them to realize their dreams and reach their goals. Her exemplary christen live permeated the community.

Yes, we will miss Reedie Cogdell, but we have hope in knowing that she has reached ''higher grounds.''

Funeral services for Mrs. Cogdell are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday at Apostolic Temple. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Alford's Mortuary where arrangements are being handled.