Gerald Reid

Psalm 121: “I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Our beloved father, Gerald Crawford Reid, passed away at the end of a long and full life of 98 years. He was born in Unionville, Tennessee as the fourth child of eight siblings. His many roles included son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was an Army veteran, teacher and principal, a Federal Aviation Administration Electronics Engineer, and the General Manager of Beersheba Springs Assembly of the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of The Crosspoint United Methodist Church of Niceville, Florida. His most treasured post came as the patriarch of a large-and still growing-family which he often described as “…not a dud in the bunch.”

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Crawford and Margaret Eads Reid; his beloved wife of 62 years, Mai Howell Reid; siblings, Winston Reid, Dorothy Titsworth, Clarice Nelson, Robert Reid and Jean Clements; and his daughter, Melinda Gayle Reid. He is survived by his sister, Elwyn Flury and brother, William E. Reid; three daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Paul Johansen, Gloria and Doug Hall and Margaret and Larry Palmer; grandchildren, Rebecca Johansen, James Johansen, Matthew Hall (Crystal), Emily Adams (Matt), Kathryn Palmer, Amanda Shababy (Phillip), Benjamin Palmer (Anna), and Jennifer Cothern (Ronnie). Additionally, he leaves behind sixteen great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends.

The family wishes to thank special friends from Crosspoint United Methodist Church (Niceville, Florida), Meridian at Westwood senior living community (Fort Walton Beach, Florida), The Manor at Bluewater Bay (Niceville, Florida) and the amazing ICC staff of Twin Cities Hospital (Niceville, Florida).

Donations may be made in Gerald’s memory to Beersheba Springs Assembly, 58 Hege Ave., PO Box 577, Beersheba Springs, TN 37305, 931-692-3636, Beersheba.office@tnumc.com or a church or charity of choice.

Memorial service for Mr. Reid will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 10:00 am from the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Unionville Cemetery.

"For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place, the flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face, When I have crost the bar"