George H. Reid, Jr.

George Henry Reid, Jr. was born July 4, 1953, to the parentage of the late George Henry Reid, Sr. and Imogene Beach Reid. He joined the Pine Grove A.M.E. Church as a youth and attended regularly until his health failed but continued to be in good standing.  He was a 1971 Graduate, the first graduating class of the New McCormick High School after integration, where he excelled in basketball and played football. He was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan.

After high school, he joined the SC National Guard, where he served for 20-plus years. His last rank was sergeant in the 122nd Engineering Company A. He worked for the US Forest Service and started his Law Enforcement Career in the early 80’s, under the leadership of the late Sheriff James “Press” Gable. Later in his career, George advanced to the rank of Chief Deputy under the late Sheriff James “Jimmy” Gable. In 1986, he ran for the Office of Sheriff and won the election. George was installed as High Sheriff (The First African American Sheriff) of McCormick County. He served diligently for 30 years and was truly a public servant. He served the community with respect and dignity. He was a man of large stature but always had a gentle way with people. Also, George was a member of the SC Sheriff’s Association, a Special Deputy for the US Marshall Service, a member of Palmetto State Law Enforcement Association, and the SC Law Enforcement Association. In his honor, The McCormick Detention Center was renamed the George H. Reid Detention Center on May 11, 2018.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Imogene Beach Reid and George, Sr.; his sister, Gara A. Reid Lomax; his brother, Eddie Reid; brother-in-law, Johnny Sibert and his stepdaughter, April Mims. And he leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 18 years, Jeanette Dorn Reid; children: Tonya Reid, Demetris Reid, Florence Hawes, and D’Marius Reid; stepdaughter: Natasha Mims-Butler; brother: Franklin(Ernestine)  Reid; sisters: Patricia Reid, Willie Mae Sibert, Melody Freeman, and Sharon Payton; Sisters-in-law: Judy Reid, Barbara Leverette, Linda Leverette; brothers-in-law: Geroge Leverette, Bruce Leverette, Matthew Leverette; Grandchildren: Jalen Reid and Malcolm Gaston; and step granddaughter, Laila Mims. He is also survived by many beloved aunts, cousins, friends, and extended family members who will miss him deeply.

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