Charles "Charlie" Reed

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Reed, died December 1, 2015, after a heroic 11-year-battle with cancer. He was born on September 13, 1936, in Terre Haute, Indiana, the only child of Joe C. Reed and Thelma Moench Reed. He grew up on the family farm in Port Allen, Louisiana. He was a 1954 graduate of Brusly High School and a 1959 graduate of LSU in mechanical engineering. During a college summer job at the Port of Baton Rouge, he met his future wife, Rosemary Pirello. In January 1959 he enlisted in the Army. He then attended boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and married Rosemary on December 27, 1959, in Plaquemine, Louisiana. After finishing his service at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he and Rosemary moved to Brusly, Louisiana. Charlie worked in various engineering jobs over the next ten years in Louisiana. In 1969, a new construction company gave him a project in a new state every few years. Over the next thirty years, he and Rosemary lived in 12 states. After retiring in 1998, he and Rosemary moved to Taylors, South Carolina. In Taylors, he enjoyed visits from his grandchildren; fruit, vegetable and flower gardening; bluegrass concerts; and model train exhibits. He built a strong circle of friends which included their neighbors, Taylors First Baptist Church community, the church-based seniors group XYZ, and their Monday night pizza group. In addition to his community, he enjoyed keeping in touch with his many friends and relatives all over the country. The annual Reed reunion brought his children and grandchildren together for a week of fun each year, including golf cart rides, games, concerts, plays created by the children, and Greenville area attractions. His love, generosity, humor and charm endeared him to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rosemary P. Reed, his daughters, Malaine Reed (Andy Kantra and daughter, Grace Kantra) of Newtown, Pennsylvania, Charlene Reed Cox (Jim) and children, Caleb Reed Cox, Elise Wiesner (Rob), and Casey Cox) of Taylors, South Carolina, Dianne Reed Dennis (Tim Dennis and children, Sarah, Bethany, Alyssa and Brenna Dennis) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday at Taylors First Baptist Church Chapel, conducted by Dr. Jimmie Harley and Rev. Paul Jimenez. Honorary escort will be Co-ed 17 at Taylors First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held 10:00-11:15 a.m. in the gathering space at Taylors First Baptist Church. Burial will be held in Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana at a later date. Memorials may be made to Taylors First Baptist Church, 200 W. Main St., Taylors, SC 29687 or Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) http://www.yamupstate.com/ Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com

Charles "Charlie" Reed

September 13, 1936 - December 1, 2015