Amanda Dale Reid-Addison

In the early morning hours of February 18, 2026, on Ash Wednesday, our beloved Amanda Dale Reid-Addison peacefully stepped across the threshold of eternal rest. As God gently reached out His hand and whispered, "No more fighting. It's time to come home," she closed her eyes and answered, "Okay." After a courageous and remarkable journey, she entered into her well-deserved peace.

Affectionately known as "Mandale," Amanda was born on July 17, 1948, to the late Benjamin and Gertrude Carrington. She was raised with a strength and determination that would define her entire life. She attended Dunbar High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she was known for her love of dancing and her vibrant personality. As one of the first Black students bused to Dunbar during integration, she walked boldly into new spaces with courage far beyond her years. At just 18 years old, Amanda embraced her adventurous spirit, married, and began traveling the world. Her journey took her to Germany, France, and eventually to Chicago, Illinois -- "Chi-Town" -- before she later settled in Washington, D.C. in the mid-1980s. In Washington, she began working at Greater Southeast Community Hospital as a medical-surgical technician, where she worked alongside her sister Cynthia and Hilda. She later found her true calling at VOCA, an assisted living facility serving individuals with mental health challenges, where she worked as a Resident Counselor. She loved her work and deeply cared for the residents whose lives she touched with compassion and humor.

It was at VOCA that she met and married the love of her life, Donald Robert Addison. Their love story was one for the ages. Though Mandale had a strong and outspoken personality, when "Donnie," as she lovingly called him, spoke--she listened. They shared a life filled with joy, laughter, long rides, and travel. They spoiled one another endlessly. Their only true rivalry was football--Donnie was devoted die-hard Washington Redskins fan, while Amanda was a proud, go-hard rooted fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Donnie became ill, Amanda stepped into the role of devoted caregiver with unmatched dedication. She tended to his every need with such excellence that his doctor often rushed him home from the hospital, confident he would receive better care from her than anywhere else. She lovingly cared for him until the Lord called him home. After Donnie's  passing, Amanda turned her focus to her own health and was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. True to her nature, she faced the diagnosis head-on--fighting with strength, spunk, and unwavering positivity. Even when the cancer spread to her brain and radiation treatments began, she remained a light to others.

She formed friendships with fellow patients, made them laugh, and encouraged them along the way. She had highs and lows, but she never gave up. Even during her most recent hospital stay and rehabilitation, her goal was clear: regain her strength and return home to the new place she had just moved into. She fought an amazing battle, having also overcome and beaten cancer 30 years prior. Her resilience was nothing short of extraordinary.

Mandale was a devoted member of St. Paul Church. She was loving, bold, and unapologetically real. She spoke from her heart and never minced words. If she had something to say, you were going to hear it--unfiltered and honest. Her personal motto? "When they go low, you go lower." She was fiercely protective of those she loved and would go to the ends of the earth for her family, especially her beloved sister, Cynthia. With only the two of them remaining, their bond was indescribable. They spoke two to three times a day and stood as each other's protectors. Amanda loved her family deeply, and they loved her just as fiercely. She shared special and unique bonds with each of her nieces and nephews. She also had a love for life's simple pleasures--shopping (especially QVC, Amazon, and most recent Temu), making her famous chicken noodle soup, hearty chili, and unforgettable sweet potato pies. She enjoyed word-find puzzles, watching westerns, getting her nails and feet done, Frankie Beverly & Maze, and never missed, and never missed her Thursday trips to the Amish Market for the senior citizen discount. Mandale loved sharing a laugh and talking every day with her sister Cyn and niece Denise about their favorite soap operas.

Amanda leaves to cherish her beautiful memory: Her dear sister: Cynthia C. Duckett; Nieces: Constance Morgan; Denise Johnson; Linda Brooks; Roselle Livingston; Romania Carrington; Yolanda Williams; Volette Richardson-Chavis (Daughter); Alicia Powell; Jackie Herndon-Hall; Nephews: Ronnie Carrington Jr (Son); Kevin Carrington; Andre Powell; Her beloved "baby": Seneca Chavis; Stepdaughter: Danyelle Wilcox; Special Friend: Joi Bower; Loving Friends: Kim and Everette Willis; Jovetta, Helen Dias; Tomas and Tasheka Taylor.

She also leaves a host of great-nieces; great-nephews; great-great-nieces; great-great-nephews; extended family; and dear friends. Amanda was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Gertrude Carrington; her husband, Donald R. Addison; her siblings, Hilda D. Morgan and Ronnie Carrington; and her nephews, Barcell "Buck" Morgan and Leewood "Lil Lee" Morgan.