Valerie Whitmire

Valerie (Loyd) Whitmire was a proud Buckeye, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. The only child of Ethelene Cochran and Mack Reid, Jr., Valerie experienced profound loss early in life when her mother passed away. She was lovingly adopted and raised by her maternal grandparents, Irene and Alexander Loyd, who provided her with a warm, joyful, and deeply Christian home.

Valerie’s childhood was filled with laughter, cousins, friends, and adventure. She cherished summer vacations in Idlewild, Michigan — one of the first resorts to welcome Black families — and she grew into a true social butterfly who loved dressing up, going to dances, and rollerskating. She was also a serious student who enjoyed reading, basketball, and volunteering for school clubs. A proud graduate of John Adams High School’s Class of 1955, Valerie remained close to her high school friends for the rest of her life. Their bonds endured through decades of long phone calls, cards, letters, and celebrations.

After high school, Valerie worked for an airline and used her travel benefits to visit her birth father, Mack Reid, Jr., in Passaic, New Jersey. Independent and adventurous, she explored New York City on her own, even getting lost in Central Park, and met up with friends whenever she could.

During one of those visits to New Jersey, Valerie met the man who would become her husband, Dennis Whitmire — a young military veteran who had moved north from South Carolina with his brothers during the Great Migration. Family lore holds that Dennis wrote her phone number on a milk carton he had just bought from the corner store. They were a striking couple, and Valerie is remembered as the first Black bride to have her wedding photo published in the Passaic Herald News.

Valerie and Dennis were married at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1964 and honeymooned at the World’s Fair in Queens. Above all else, Valerie cherished family. She and Dennis raised three children — Denise, Ethelene, and Darren — whose happiness and well-being were always at the center of her heart.

After a brief time in Clifton, the family settled on Irving Place in Passaic. Dennis worked at the Okonite factory, and Valerie spent many years as a nurse’s aide at Beth Israel Hospital. She began in the nursery, a role she adored, and later worked on the orthopedic floor. Her colleagues became lifelong friends, and even after grueling shifts, they found joy in sharing meals, stories, and laughter. Their diverse backgrounds sparked Valerie’s love for food and drink from around the world. She later worked briefly in the records room at Chestnut Hill Nursing Home.

Valerie and Dennis instilled in their children the importance of education and opportunity. They took immense pride in their daughters, Denise and Ethelene, who became librarians and academics, and in their son Darren, a licensed, certified welder. Valerie celebrated Ethelene’s achievements as a Ph.D., published author, and Fulbright scholar.

After retiring from healthcare, Valerie embraced a life rich with friendship and fun. She enjoyed socializing, playing bingo, traveling to Atlantic City and New York City, attending plays and concerts, going to the movies, and dining out. A gifted home cook, she delighted in preparing favorite dishes for family and friends, especially during Thanksgiving and the holidays. In her later years, she returned to Mt. Zion Baptist Church — the same church where she had been married — and remained an active member.

Valerie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dennis (2003) and her brothers, Irving and Kenneth. She leaves to cherish her memory her three children; her grandchildren Milo, Lenoxx (Viola), and Xavion; and her son‑in‑law Neal. She is also survived by dear friends Carrie, Alberta, Mary, Bill, and Bob; her longtime pen pal Crystal Ledbeater; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in‑laws, extended family, and friends.

Valerie’s warmth, generosity, and joyful spirit live on in the many people she loved and the countless lives she touched.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 857 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055, followed by the Funeral Service at 3:00 PM. The procession to burial will start at Funeraria Alvarez, 66 Passaic Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055 with departure at 11:15 AM on Monday, June 22nd, 2026. Burial will follow at 11:30 AM at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, 255 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ 07014.