Althea Marie Foreman (affectionately known to her family as “Toots”) was born in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1948. She was the oldest of Lumas Reeder II and Helen Reeder’s six children.

After graduating from Spingarn High School in Washington, DC, she worked as a secretary for many years—first for the federal government and then for the principal of Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

Her devotion to Christ was evident in all aspects of her life, including her family, job, and community service. She often quoted Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She started her own vacation Bible school in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and belonged for several years to the Psalmist Ministry at From the Heart Church Ministry, now located in Suitland, Maryland. She also taught Bible study and Sunday school at Anointed Word Baptist Church, now located in Waldorf, Maryland. If you did not know Jesus, Althea made sure that you did.

In 2008, at age fifty-nine, Althea returned to school and earned her associate’s, bachelor’s, and MBA degrees from Strayer University, completing her master’s in 2015.