1 HR54 2 217396-1 3 By Representative Hollis 4 RFD: 5 First Read: 09-FEB-22 Page 0 1 217396-1:n:02/09/2022:AR/ar LSA2022-625 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 MOURNING THE DEATH OF MASTER SERGEANT JESSE REED. 9 10 WHEREAS, it is with profound sadness that we note 11 the death on February 2, 2022, of Master Sergeant Jesse Reed 12 of Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 89 years; and 13 WHEREAS, his passing leaves a void in the lives of 14 his loving family, many friends, and the entire community, 15 where he was highly regarded; and 16 WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Reed was born on July 24, 17 1932, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Delia Reed and Robert Brown, 18 Sr.; he was one of six children born to that union; and 19 WHEREAS, he confessed Christ at an early age at 20 Mount Olive Baptist Church in Birmingham; he was a proud 21 graduate of A.H. Parker Industrial High School, Class of 1950; 22 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served 22 23 years; his service included numerous roles where he diligently 24 applied his leadership skills in efforts to establish the best 25 training programs within his engineering groups; Master 26 Sergeant Reed retired with full military distinguished medals 27 of honor; and Page 1 1 WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Reed was employed through 2 the Norfolk Southern Railroad as a Switchman and quickly moved 3 to Conductor/Clerk; in 1993, he retired from Norfolk Southern 4 Railroad; and 5 WHEREAS, on November 1, 1949, Master Sergeant Reed 6 married the love of his life, Margaret Carmichael; this union 7 was blessed with five children, Yvonne, Jesse G., Erroll, 8 Mark, and Yvette; and 9 WHEREAS, Mr. Reed was preceded in death by his 10 beloved wife; devoted mother, Deia Reed; all of his siblings; 11 and three of his best friends, Sergeant (Retired) Charles 12 Jones, Ronald Cardwell, and Ernest Smiley; and 13 WHEREAS, survivors include his children, Yvonne I. 14 Reed, Jesse G. Reed, Erroll K. Reed (Janjia), Mark D. Reed 15 (Kecia), Yvette S. Reed; grandchildren, Erica Walker (Jimmy), 16 Sharon Reed, Kendrick Reed, Torria Walker, Rahji Reed (Molly), 17 Tanaye Heard (Lewis II), Brandi Reed, and Marcus Reed; 18 great-grandchildren, Malik, Victoria, Lauryn, Braylon, 19 Isaiyah, Ivynn, Evan, and Nahji; brother-in-law, Albert 20 Carmichael; godsons, Maury Toyer, Aundre Arrington, Byron 21 Seals, and Bandy Smiley; best friend, Kermit Seals; and a host 22 of other relatives and friends; and 23 WHEREAS, although his presence will be greatly 24 missed, the memory of Master Sergeant Jesse Reed will be 25 cherished in the hearts of all who knew and loved him; now 26 therefore, Page 2 1 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF 2 THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the death of Master Sergeant 3 Jesse Reed is recorded with deep sadness, and this resolution 4 is offered in tribute to his life and with heartfelt sympathy 5 to his family, whose grief is shared by many. Page 3