Olen Reid Obituary SummerHill, Perry, GA – On Wednesday, April 3, Olen B. Reid, Jr., who was 93 years old, died away in a calm and serene manner at SummerHill in Perry, Georgia. On January 20, 1931, he went into the world as the cherished only child of Olen and Ruth Skipper Reid, both of whom had passed away prior to his birth. After receiving his diploma from R. E. Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia, he started working at the A&P grocery store in the neighborhood when he was only 13 years old. He eventually became the head of the produce department there. He began his education at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, Georgia, and later transferred to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, to pursue a degree in textile engineering.
On account of his outstanding academic performance, he was awarded a scholarship. He was a member of the Army National Guard for a period of twelve years. Due to the fact that he has a natural talent for sales, he decided to work as a life insurance salesperson for The National Life and Accident Insurance Company, which is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. He was assigned to serve the Thomaston, Georgia region, which is his hometown. After some time, he moved to Fort Valley, Georgia, a thriving peach-packing town. It was there that he met Rosemary Sheppard, the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, at a local café. It was in 1954 when they tied the knot at the residence of her Aunt Elizabeth Sheppard McLeod in Pineview, Georgia. They went on to have seventy great years together, during which they took some unforgettable adventures all over the world.
Over the course of his employment with The National Life and Accident Insurance Company, he worked his way up to the position of President of the Peach Belt Life Underwriters Association and President of the Georgia State Association of Life Underwriters. He also ascended through the ranks to become a member of the President’s Council. Following his retirement from National Life, he and his wife launched the independent Reid Insurance Agency in Fort Valley. Their goal was to continue catering to the diverse insurance requirements of their numerous customers.
Having fond memories of helping his grandfather farm in Thomaston, Georgia, he never lost his passion of farming. He rapidly became friends with Monsieur Paul Vincent from Metz, France, who had purchased a farm in Peach County, Georgia. He was able to become acquainted with Monsieur Paul Vincent. In addition to assisting Monsieur Vincent with the day-to-day operations of the farm, he farmed wheat straw for the purpose of combining it with the seeding firms that were located along the highways in the southern region. Over the course of at least ten years, he was affectionately referred to as “Mr. Peach” by his numerous devoted clients in Gainesville, Florida. These customers were the recipients of the truckloads of freshly harvested peaches that arrived in their possession that afternoon.
In addition to Rosemary, Olen was a devoted member of the Sunday School class taught by Frank Witholft at the First Baptist Church of Fort Valley, where he and Rosemary were regular attendees. His wife, Rosemary Sheppard Reid, of Fort Valley, his only daughter Renee Reid Buchanan (Scott), of Gainesville, Florida, his granddaughter Dr. Anna Caroline Buchanan Fisher (Ryan), of Gainesville, and his grandson Spencer Reid Buchanan, also of Gainesville, are among those who are left behind after Mr. Reid’s passing. He felt a strong sense of brotherhood with his relatives, Col. John I. Wood (Randi) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Dr. Samuel Wood (Linda) of Summerville, South Carolina. Additionally, his life was brightened by the presence of a large number of affectionate friends who participated in vigorous games of bridge, breakfast, and pleasurable lunch expeditions.
In the sanctuary of the Fort Valley Baptist Church in Fort Valley, visitation will take place from one to three o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, April 7. This will be followed by a memorial service at one forty-five minutes in the same location. Cordele, Georgia’s Sunnyside Cemetery will be the location of the interment. Warner Robins, Georgia’s Burpee Scott was in charge of the arrangements. As an alternative to sending flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Valley Baptist Church in honor of Olen B. Reid.
