Wesley Alexander Reed

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Wesley “Wes” Alexander Reed, who passed away suddenly on April 3, 2025. Mr. Wesley Reed was born on November 17, 1984 in Washington, D.C. and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia. Yet, his fondest memories were of the time spent with his grandparents (Donald “Pap Pap” and Jenny “Nana” Waters) at their house on Brandon Drive in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Wes would often reminisce about summer nights playing pickup basketball with his cousins Steve, Damien, and Rendell and precious moments when Pap Pap would sneak them all away for sweet treats despite Nana’s objections. He continued this tradition with his own children, taking regular trips to Chambersburg over the years, a place that always felt like home.

Wesley attended Kerrydale Elementary School, Belville Middle School, and Osbourn Park High School, graduating from the latter in 2002 . He began playing soccer at the age of 4 and took to the sport like a fish to water; ultimately playing throughout high school both for high school and competitive leagues. He took his passion for soccer to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science in 2007. Playing on a scholarship, Wes was instrumental in VCU's historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament—the program’s deepest run to date. Even after his collegiate career ended, Wesley remained a huge fan of the game and the Arsenal F.C.

Beyond soccer, Wesley loved music. He played several instruments growing up, including the trumpet and tuba, and participated in the DC Youth Orchestra. This love for music continued later in life as he began playing the guitar. He would often be found strumming the tune to Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” while his oldest daughter Kisanet played along on her ukulele. Wesley was an avid reader and had a growing library spanning all subjects from systematic theology to social justice and books on veganism. He also enjoyed fishing, playing golf and spending time at the beach.

Wesley was a free spirit who sought to find the career path that moved him as much as his love for soccer. An ardent learner, he continued his studies through the Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate at Georgetown University; thereafter, working in commercial real estate. Never one to settle, he later completed a 16-week immersive coding boot camp program through General Assembly to pursue opportunities in software engineering.Wesley was able to apply those skills immediately through work with organizations such as the Association of Schools and Programs for Public Health and later as a Deloitte consultant. Alongside his professional pursuits, Wesley was also working to build out Hack the Narrative, a 501(c)(3) that would train incarcerated persons to code so that upon release they would have tangible skills for employment.

Above all else, Wes was a god-fearing man. He dedicated time to his church and made it a priority for his family to be part of a local church. Wes loved his family, especially his four children who will hold the memories of watching Arsenal games together, daddy-daughter dates to the movies with his oldest, Kisanet, and lots of cuddles and jungle gym time with their gentle giant daddy.

Wesley was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Genevieve “Jenny” M. Waters, his maternal grandfather, Donald “Mike” F. Waters, and his paternal grandfather, John H. Thornton.

Wesley leaves to cherish his memories his parents, Theodore R. Reed & Kathleen B. Waters- Reed; his wife, Senayt G. Rahwa; his four children, Kisanet, Gabriel, Liya and Isaac Rahwa-Reed; sisters, Whitney A. Reed and Kenyce Akran; brother, MarkJohns; paternal grandmother, Eddie Bell Thornton; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the John Wesley AME Zion Church, 155 West Catherine St., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Interment will follow the service in Lebanon Cemetery. The family will thereafter receive guests for the repast back at John Wesley AME Zion Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202.

Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com and fishermemorialfp@gmail.com.