Idelle Boutwell Reams, age 75, received her diamond crown on Saturday, April 21, 2018.  Born April 28, 1942 and was welcomed to the kingdom by her father, Hughie Allen and her mother, Essie Denelle Barnes.

She was born in Selma, Alabama on April 28, 1942, the daughter of Essie D. Barnes and Hughie Allen Sr. She received her formal education in the Catholic School System in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Florence Utte Business College as a key punch operator.

Idelle accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby, where she was a member of the Deaconess Ministry. She retired from The City of Racine, Department of Public Works as a Clerk Typist II. In her leisure, she enjoyed traveling, archery, bowling, fishing, cooking, sewing, shopping and watching old western movies with her husband. She especially enjoyed baking and feeding her family plenty of sweets. She also enjoyed planting colorful flowers in the springtime, to surround her deck and playing bowling on the Wii with her family. She always looked forward to great food and fellowship with sisters of The Golden Girls Birthday Club.

She was a member of Badger Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Star and S.C. Johnson & Son's Archery Club.

Idelle was preceded in death by her mother, Essie D. Barnes; father, Hughie Allen Sr; daughter, Debra Antoinette Reams; sisters, Maggie Belcher and Shirley Allen; brother Bernard Allen Sr; great grand-daughter, Aniyah Grandberry, sister in-law, Sheila Allen and her dear friend, Troy Cobb.

Idelle's legacy will continue to live through her loving and devoted husband, Jodie L. Reams Sr; daughters, Angela L. Boutwell, Anita M. Dixon and Vanessa Boutwell; son, Jodie Reams Jr.; her grandchildren, Angel D. Pitt, Terence (Latasha) Reams Sr., and Nakia (Elmer) Wood, Jasmine J. Reams and Robert Reams; great-grandchildren Angelleon Daniels, Admire Grandberry, Taryn Reams, Alyris Davis, Terence Reams Jr, Lealou Wood, Gabriel Wood, Nieaushie Wood, Cecilia E. Stoner and CaLeah J. Stoner and Robert Reams.

Idelle will be sorely missed by her siblings, Betty (Joseph) Gray, Hughie (Pamela) Allen Jr, Gloria Allen, Ricky Allen Sr., Jacqueline (Milton) Webster, Chris (Paulette) Allen and Gail Allen.

She also leaves to cherish her memory brothers in-law, Odis (Earna) Reams and Charles (Jacqueline) Reams, sisters in-law, Patricia Allen, Eleanor (Willie) Forte', Althea Winters, Lula Reams, Shirley Dawkins, Brandy (Jeffrey) Gandy and special niece, Jacqueline Pinager.

She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including best friends, Wanda Cobb and Minnie Beadles.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at St. Paul MBC, 1123 Center St., on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10:00am.  Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9:00am until the time of service.  Bishop L.L. Kirby will be officiating.  There will also be a visitation on Friday, April 27 ^th , 4:00 – 6:00pm in the funeral home chapel.  The Masonic Eastern Star service will begin at 6:00pm on friday.

Service Details

Funeral: Saturday, April 28, 2018  10:00am

Visitation: Saturday, April 28, 2018  9:00 – 10:00am

Location: St. Paul MBC, 1123 Center St, Racine, WI

Visitation: Friday, April 27 4:00 – 6:00 in the Chapel of Draeger-Langendorf, 4600 County Line Rd.

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