Viola Reed Ozelle Baecher OBITUARY

Viola Reed Ozelle Baecher OBITUARY

BAECHER, Viola Ozelle, August 19, 1943 – July 27, 2026

Viola Ozelle Reed Baecher, 82, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, to Rev. Granville William Reed, Jr. and Anita Ozelle Reed, she considered Chicago her hometown. A graduate of Marshall High School, Roosevelt University (B.A), and the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration (Masters), Viola served for decades at Rich Central High School as their social worker and head cheerleading coach. She supported students and their families, led crisis response teams, and received prestigious awards for her service. She also lead numerous cheer squads to state championships. She directed the schools Martin Luther King assemblies and sponsored numerous clubs including chess, Human Relations and the Afro Club. She was elected and served as a Village Trustee in Park Forest, Illinois. An accomplished family historian, Viola traced her ancestry to pre-Colonial Virginia and California pioneers, sharing her research nationwide.

Viola is survived by her daughter Victoria Baecher Wassmer [Franklin Wassmer], grandsons Alexander Edouard and Christophe Emmanuel Wassmer, and brothers Rev. Rodger Hall Reed [Shirley Cason Reed] and Dr. Richard Earl Reed, and a host of beloved family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Michael; and her brother, Rev. Dr. Granville William Reed, III.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Chicago, IL), Mary’s Center (Washington, DC), or the Shockoe Institute (Richmond, VA).