Reiko (Saito) Hunt, 90 of Hyattsville, Maryland

Her Life Journey

Reiko Saito Hunt was born on May 7, 1929 in Fukuoka, Japan, which is located on Kyushu Island.  She was the middle of three children born to the late Fude and Zenjiro Saito.  On Monday, February 17, 2020, during the pre-dawn hours at her home in Hyattsville, Maryland, and surrounded by family, Reiko peacefully made her transition to her eternal home in Heaven.

Reiko has two siblings, her oldest brother, Masaaki Saito, who preceded her in death on September 29, 2015 and sister, Mutsuko Uchida of Fukuoka, Japan.

Reiko graduated from Chikushi High School in Fukuoka, Japan in the 1940's and later attended sewing class. Her employment history began with a brief stint as a post office clerk.  She then worked for the Fukuoka government at the Central Labor Office as an accounting technician. After the Korean War in 1953, she met Cleophus Thomas Hunt, an Army Sergeant, at the 8162nd General Hospital Non-commissioned Officer's Club in Fukuoka where she worked in ticket sales. (During that era, tickets were the legal tender for commerce.) The couple would marry in 1955 in Fukuoka, Japan.

On 14 October 1955, embracing her new life, Reiko departed from Yokohama, Japan. She commenced on a twelve day journey onboard a United States Navy ship destined for Seattle, Washington.  Arriving in Seattle on 26 October 1955, she boarded a Greyhound bus and traveled four additional days to Washington, D.C. She would settle in with her with husband at her mother-in-law's home in Northeast Washington, D.C.  The couple would later purchase a home in Southeast Washington, D.C. where they raised five children, Cleophus Thomas (Jr.), Michael Edward, David William (transitioned in March 2019), Peter Anthony, and Naomi Reiko.

She attended the Martha Washington School in Washington, D.C. where she gained further education in sewing.  She was quite a talented seamstress, often making clothes for her kids and taking on odd sewing jobs for others in the community.

On August 13, 1963, Reiko earned the 'Certificate of Naturalization' of the United States of America awarded by the Department of Justice, U.S. District Court, Washington, D.C. As a United States citizen, Reiko's employment history included: waiter/server at Gim Wah Restaurant in Southeast Washington, D.C., co-owner of Kokeshi Restaurant on "U" Street, Washington, D.C., a cook at Tsukige Japanese Restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, and from 1988-2008, a floor sales clerk at Burlington in Forestville, Maryland. She worked extremely hard and conscientiously until the age of 79, often without missing a day of scheduled work.

On June 6, 1968, Reiko accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, and along with her family, joined Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southeast Washington, D.C. On November 13, 2019, she reaffirmed her faith.

In the United States, Reiko is survived by her sons: Cleophus Thomas Hunt, Jr., (Dorothy), Michael Edward Hunt, Sr., (Janetter), David William Hunt (pre-deceased on March 2019), Peter Anthony  Hunt (Judy); daughter, Naomi Reiko Hunt Mable (Alonzo); a very special granddaughter, Jessica Lauren Hunt-Mable; grandchildren:  Shernetta R. Hollins (Malcom), Kalandria W. Jarman (Lance), Michael E. Hunt, Jr., (Crystal), Sharisse S. Hunt, Walter Dyson III, Tameka C. Waddy, Maria M. Hunt, Ashley H. Fiawoo (Emmett), Pierce A. Hunt, Jasmine A. Hunt, Alonzo "Buddy" Mable; a host of great-grandchildren; her Avondale Apartment family; and special friends.

In Japan, Reiko leaves to cherish her memory:  her sister, Mutsuko Uchida; sister-in-law, Nobuyo Saito; a very special nephew, Dr. Bunnai Saito, his wife Fuyumi Saito, and their daughter Reina; and cousin, Teruko Takamoku