Howard Reed

~ The Obituary ~

     Brother Howard Washington Reedwas born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 23, 1923 to Washington Billy Reed and Bertha Ford Reed. He departed this life on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

     In the words of Howard W. Reed, on November 1, 1950, four young apprentices walked to Fayetteville, North Carolina, seventy-two miles, seeking employment. When they got there the foreman said he needed brick layers and they were hired for the job. However, having no training in this kind of work they could not perform properly so they were dismissed. They, Howard Reed, Eugene Liely, Willie Yates and Freddie Singleton, returned home on Thanksgiving Day.

     On January 1, 1951 he left alone and went to Wilmington, NC trying to find work. Finding none there he went to Winston-Salem, NC only to find no employment there either. From there he went to Greensboro, NC and successfully found a job working for Charlie Hethe and Sons where he apprenticed for a year and a half. After leaving Greensboro he went to Newport News, VA and that is where he completed his trade. He laid bricks in thirteen states and forty-eight cities. He traveled from coast to coast laying bricks as far south as Key West, FL near the coast of Cuba and as far north as Maine. He traveled to Washington, DC during the summer months between 1952 and 1985. He returned home to Mullins, SC and retired in 1985. “I had many miles on the road traveling from place to place. I wore out four new trucks and two new cars on the road. I worked forty-two years laying bricks.” 

     He leaves to cherish his memories, three sons: Joe A. Rich (Sissy) of Murfreesboro, TN, Chris L. Rich of Mullins and Kendrick Reed (Whitney) of Savannah, GA; grandchildren: Chris, Cameron, Calil, and Cayden of Mullins, SC and Kendrick Reed, Jr. and Tyler Reed of Savannah, GA; a sister-in-law: Berma Reed; a dedicated niece: Pam Williams of Mullins, SC.

     Bro. Reedhad six siblings to precede him in home going. He was a faithful member of Mount Ararat Baptist Church where Reverend Curtis Campbell presides. Daddymade his living laying bricks all across this country for nearly fifty years.    

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