The legacy of those who have spent their lives constructing Berea College crafts continues on through those items. For one family, the legacy is multi-generational and came full circle when a special broom returned to them many years later.
After her father passed away in 2003, Deloris Reed’s sister-in-law wanted to make a special floral arrangement, including a broom, in memory of her father Johnnie Reed. She went to a small thrift shop in Cynthiana, Kentucky, looking for the perfect broom. She stumbled across a small broom with the Berea College tag, and in that moment felt it was the right one. She bought the broom, made the arrangement and sent it over to the Reeds.
Deloris and her mother, Emma, admired the arrangement and the broom. In tears, Emma suddenly recognized the broom as one of her husband’s brooms. There was a special twist along the broom wires that was a signature design Johnnie sometimes featured in his works.
“At that moment, we both got emotional,” Deloris said. “It felt like the broom had found its way back home to us.”
Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05
The Reeds, a family of 10, are no strangers to Berea College. Deloris grew up in Berea with her seven siblings and has always considered it home. The Reeds came to Berea from Jackson County in 1939 looking for work. Over the years, the family would become intertwined with the College.
Johnnie started as a rookie broom maker in Broomcraft, before moving up to become a supervisor in 1958. Johnnie supervised hundreds of students, making brooms and other items in the college’s catalog. He prioritized quality, believing that his finished work represented himself, and he always put his best foot forward, Deloris said.
Johnnie’s wife, Emma, was also a crafter. “I would say my mom is the sweetest woman ever,” Deloris said. “A lot of people said, ‘You are like her.’ I’d be so lucky to be like her.”
Emma would help Johnnie in the studio, weaving and making brooms. They would also travel to do live Broomcraft demonstrations. Johnnie believed that was a part of Berea’s charm, being able to showcase and tell the world about their crafts.
When Johnnie had to retire in 1976 because of health complications, Emma took up the mantle as supervisor for 23 years.
Emma showed a lot of compassion toward her students, and her students showed that same compassion back. Deloris recalled when, during a family cookout, a car pulled up to the family’s driveway and multiple Berea College students got out. “We’re asking Mom, ‘Who are these people?’ And she goes, ‘Those are my students, and I asked them to come and have a cookout with us. Come join us,’” Deloris said.
When Emma also had to leave Broomcraft, her son, Lonnie, took over as supervisor in 1968 and worked until 2010. Lonnie followed in his dad’s footsteps in terms of work ethic. He valued quality work, just like his father.
“Lonnie always said, ‘It’s the quality. It’s not the quantity.’ Dad believed in doing things right. He didn’t want anything he made to go out into the world unless he felt it was perfect,” Deloris said.
Deloris worked for 32 years in Student Crafts, starting in the warehouse before moving into the office to manage wholesale and retail orders while overseeing shipping and receiving. She also managed the Visitor Center. She worked hard, just like her father, and showed hospitality and compassion to her students, just like her mother. Her students called her their “Berea Mom.”
“Working with students has always been something I’ve loved,” Deloris said. “Seeing them come back, bring me photos or even bring their families to see me is very rewarding.”
Deloris continues to uphold her family’s long legacy at Berea College. She currently works in the new Legacy Hall as the philanthropy operations manager. She also continues to help with Student Craft operations and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
The Berea College Legacy continues through Deloris’ family for future generations. She questioned her grandkids about their great-grandparents’ legacy, and she was surprised they knew their great-grandparents made brooms. She hopes to share that family history with her grandchildren. Both are crafty and enjoy making things, and Deloris would love the opportunity to bring them to Broomcraft someday to see how the brooms are made and experience a part of their family history for themselves.
In Deloris’ office, multiple brooms from Student Craft are displayed on the wall and on her desk in honor of her family’s legacy to Broomcraft, including the broom that made its way back home. Every time she looks at them, she fondly remembers the long history and great experiences her family has had at the College.
“There are a lot of people who can’t say they work for a place like Berea College,” Deloris said. “My family has such a legacy here.”
