Pauline Zachary was born to Daniel & Roxie Zachary on July 12, 1943 in Foreman Arkansas. Pauline was number 12 out of 15 children and was one of the last two remaining of the brood. Pauline and her younger siblings moved to California after losing their mother at an early age and she attended John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles graduating in 1961. Pauline took some college courses, however found work early on in various government positions. Her last employment was with Internal Revenue Service ending in retirement.

Pauline was an excellent seamstress, baker and cook, skills she inherited from her mother. During the early 60’s, she purchased her first Singer sewing machine (receipt still intact to this day). She also enjoyed decorating her dining table for Christmas, which featured in Good House magazine. Pauline’s late brother Roosevelt Zachary, Sr. introduced her to a suitor who she would later marry. James E. Reed and Pauline Zachary married on August 31, 1968, surrounded by friends and loved ones. James proceeded her in death.

Pauline gave birth to a son, Dana Sanfield in 1971 and then to a daughter, Kenya McCoy in 1975 in Southern California. After Kenya’s first year of life, she decided to move her family to Northern California to be closer to her other siblings. She raised her two children on Reuel court and remained on that street until she relocated in 2025. Pauline joined Double Rock Baptist Church in 1976 and later joined San Francisco Christian Center around 1986 where she remained until her passing. Though her health kept her from attending every Sunday, her baby sister Marilyn made sure she attended on special occasions. Pauline sung in the choir at both churches until she could no longer serve in person.

Due to her ailing health, Pauline relocated to Maryland in April of 2025 with her daughter. She admired the beauty Maryland had to offer when she did get outside. She loved the trees and enjoyed fussing at the bad drivers alongside her daughter. During her short stint in Maryland, her daughter tried to get her out as much as possible. She attended a concert for Mother’s Day where she danced and shouted, and supposedly had a proposal. She also saw T.D. Jakes live, the man she enjoyed watching on television. Pauline made sure her daughter knew how much she loved her and appreciated her for taking care of her the last few years until her wish was granted to return home. Though diagnosed with Dementia, her memory would not let her forget her husband or her children.

Mrs. Pauline Reed departed this life on July 4th, 2026 a week shy of her 83rd birthday. The sky cheered with fireworks as she reunited with her husband, parents and siblings. She leaves behind her sister Marilyn Molet, San Francisco, CA, daughter Kenya McCoy, Bethesda, MD, son Dana Sanfield (Jackie), Sacramento, CA and grandson Tyree Sanfield, Louisiana; a host of family and friends.