Evelyn Marianna Reid

Evelyn “Ebbie” Marianne Reid (née Conover), age 87, of Old Bridge, NJ, departed this life on May 8, 2026. Evelyn was born on July 16, 1938, in Jamesburg, NJ, to the late Hazel Duvall Conover and William H. Conover. She was raised in Jamesburg and attended Jamesburg Public Schools, graduating from Jamesburg High School. Her childhood was filled with joyful times spent with her siblings. They frequented Thompson Park, swimming in the lake in summer and ice skating in winter. She grew up attending St. John’s Baptist Church in Jamesburg, which was founded by her father’s parents. As a young woman, she played on an all-girl’s baseball team along with her sisters. She remained a Jamesburg girl at heart throughout her life. Evelyn built a career in banking before retiring from Grainger. Most recently, she worked as a cafeteria worker at G. Austin Schoenly Elementary School in Spotswood, NJ, with Pomptonian Food Service. In 1955, she married Samuel “Big Sam” Reid Sr. After spending over a decade in Jersey City, they purchased a home and settled in Old Bridge, NJ, where they lovingly raised their son, Samuel “Lil Sam” Reid Jr. Family was the center of Evelyn’s world. She welcomed her grandson, Julian Reid, in 1990 and her granddaughter, Kirsten Reid, in 1996. She loved being a grandmother and was affectionately known as “Nano.” In February 2026, she was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother to Dion Byrd-Reid, a blessing she cherished deeply. Evelyn was an exceptional cook and baker. She delighted in baking for loved ones and would often whip up a cake on a whim to satisfy her sweet tooth. She will be especially remembered for her Hawaiian wedding cake, pistachio cake, and pecan snowball cookies. She loved preparing holiday meals and bringing her family together. She never missed a family gathering and when the “Electric Slide” came on, she always made her way to the dance floor. Ebbie loved to travel and fondly remembered her favorite trip to Hawaii with her husband, “Big Sam.” She also enjoyed crocheting and creating beautiful photo albums for loved ones. For more than 30 years, Evelyn was a faithful and active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Freehold, NJ, where she served as a deaconess and Sunday School teacher. She organized and chaperoned Sunday School trips, always giving generously of her time. In her later years, she became a member of Old Ship of Zion Baptist Church in Monroe, NJ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Reid Sr.; her son, Samuel Reid Jr.; her parents, Hazel D. Conover and William H. Conover; her sisters, Delores C. Monroe, Doris L. Keno, and Elizabeth L. Conover; and her brothers, William H. “Billy” Conover, and John Conover. She is survived by her loving sisters, Wilma M. Terrell and Gloria Conover Riggins; her beloved grandson, Julian S. Reid and his wife, Jasmyn Byrd-Reid; her devoted granddaughter, Kirsten Reid and her husband, Ryan Deasy; her cherished great-grandson, Dion S. Byrd-Reid; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members. Evelyn will be deeply missed for her calm and loving spirit, as well as her kindness. She will be remembered as a pillar of her family, and her loyalty, unforgettable laugh, and gentle strength will be deeply missed. Her legacy will live on through all who were blessed to know her. She “paid her dues” and is now at rest in everlasting peace. Homegoing services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Old Ship of Zion Baptist Church, 629 Buckelew Ave, Monroe Township, NJ. Burial will immediately follow at Fernwood Cemetery in Jamesburg, NJ.

Evelyn Marianna Reid

July 16, 1938 - May 8, 2026