Duane Reed

Duane David Reed was born May 30, 1959, in Nassawadox, VA to the late Allen Thomas Sr and the late Sue Beatrice Reed. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Duane also known by many as “Steamer” quietly entered the pearly gates to rest for eternity with his heavenly father. 

Duane was educated in Accomack County Public Schools and was a graduate of Onancock High School, Class of 1977. After graduating Duane enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a paratrooper from September 1977 to September 1980. During his time in the Army, Duane was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. After his time in the Army Duane returned home for a while before moving to New Jersey where he lived until 1995. Once Duane returned to the shore he began to work as a Waste Water Specialist for numerous companies. He was most recently employed at Tyson Foods until his health began to fail him in May of 2021.

To know Duane was to love Duane. He was that type of person, he loved his family, kids and grandkids dearly. Duane was very family-oriented and was a die-hard Washington Commanders fan. He loved to cook, especially on the grill, all his family and friends looked forward to his summer cookouts. One of Duane’s most prized possessions was that of his grandchildren whom he loved unconditionally, especially Myia. It wasn’t anything she wanted that she didn’t get. One tradition that Duane loved and looked forward to was his Thanksgiving tradition traveling down to North Carolina. For 20 years Duane would travel down to his brother, Frank’s where they would prepare and have Thanksgiving. That's how they became “The Renaissance Men”. He would get meats and seafood all summer long and stash it in Cousin Martina freezer until it was time to head south. The night before would be seafood night and then Thanksgiving on Thursday, (he was still trying to get down there last year) because it was one of those things he found pleasure in. Duane will be greatly missed and holds a special place in a lot of our hearts.

Duane was preceded in death by his father the late Allen Thomas Sr, his mother the late Sue Beatrice Reed, his brother the late Donald Reed and his brother the late Allen Thomas Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory: one son, Lionell Watson of Atlantic,VA; one daughter, Brittney Reed of Hampton, VA; two grandchildren La’myia Watson and Lyric Watson; two brothers, Frank Reed of Raleigh, NC and Ronald Wharton of Parksley, VA; two sisters, Ritha Shelby of Raleigh, NC and Christianna Reed of Chesterfield, VA; one God sister, Gwen Rowley of Randallstown, MD; two special aunts, Marguerite Parks of Accomac, VA and Etta Bailey of Fredricksburg, VA; one special cousin, Martina Beckett of Tasley, VA; childhood best friend, Keith Matthews of Chesapeake, VA; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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