Cleland Theodore Reed

Mr. Reed was the son of Francis Asbury and Brama Beatrice Rector Reed of Whitmire, S.C., as one of 7 children, which included 2 sets of twin sons. Cleland’s twin, Clarence Victor, passed away in the early ‘50s. The 6 sons of the family, including Jack, Ralph, Raymond and Bill, were the singing Reed Brothers who sang widely in South Carolina.

Reed was a proud WWII veteran, serving from 1944-1946 in the US Army Air Forces.

Mr. Reed was married for 69 years to Nell Woods Reed, daughter of James Booth and Mattie Wood Woods of Union, S.C.

Their children are Dr. Larry Woods (Darlene) of Pensacola, FL; twin sons COL USA (Ret) Carroll Anderson (Martha) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Dr. Joel Francis (Ginger) of Mars Hill, NC; and Mr. Alan Carlyle (Jeanie) of Greenville. They enjoyed eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Membership in the Taylors First Baptist Church spanned more than 50 years, where two of the Reed’s sons served as music directors. Mr. Reed enjoyed singing in the choirs until very recently. He also served the church many years as Deacon and Sunday School leader.

Cleland was well known for his work in the textile field, working many years with J.P. Stevens management, and later United Merchants and Manufacturing, ending his career as an Executive Vice President with that company. He managed textile operations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia.

A funeral service will be held at Taylors First Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 2 at 11:00 with family visitation beginning at 10:00 at the church.

Burial at 2:30 in the Whitmire City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, c/o Dr. Joel Reed, 285 Homestead Dr., Mars Hill, NC 28754 or Chicora Voices, the Children’s Choir of Greenville, PO Box 2481, Greenville, SC 29602.