James Madden Reid

J. Madden Reid

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Saturday, September 14, 2013, J. Madden Reid, 85, husband of Joan Smith Reid.

Mr. Reid was born in Macon, GA in 1927. He graduated from Lanier High School in Macon, GA, where he was President of his Senior Class, President of Key Club and President of AOS Fraternity. He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, GA, where he received a BA in Business/Education and an MA in Mathematics. At Mercer, he was President of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and the number one seed on the Mercer Tennis Team. In 1969, he moved to Augusta to be the Executive Director of the Augusta Housing Authority where he served for 30 years. Mr. Reid was a veteran, serving in the Korean War and was offered two appointments to West Point, turning them down to be with his family. He was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, the Irish American Society, and Westlake Country Club. As the Executive Director of AHA, he built the first public housing high rise in the state of Georgia. Mr. Reid was instrumental in starting discussions with the Medical College of Georgia in the purchase of Gilbert Manor. He was an effective leader of the housing community during the segregation years and he served on the board of the neighboring daycare. He was President of the Georgia Association of Housing Authorities, President of the Southeastern Association of Housing and Redevelopment. He started a scholarship fund for the Georgia Association of Housing Authorities, and a Foster Grandparents Association to assist and mentor children at Gracewood Hospital. He served on the Golden Harvest Food Bank Board and on the Advisory Board of the Augusta Board of Education. He also created a program from MCG to assist AHA children for teeth and medical problems and he provided child care schools for working residents of housing developments. The Augusta Housing Authority dedicated a new administrative building named after him. Mr. Reid was a devoted husband to his wife of 59 years and was a wonderful father to his children and grandchildren. He loved all his time at the beach at Harbor Island, SC and Jetty East in Destin. His influence reaches not just his family, but all those who have been touched by his kindness. He was an unassuming man who did great things for others, a wonderful son, husband, Dad, Grandfather, and friend to all. “He loved people, so people loved him.”

In addition to his wife, family members include children: Kim Reid Arfman and husband Richard Arfman, Jim Madden Reid, Jr., Guy Smith Thomas Reid; grandchildren: Katie and Maggie Arfman, Matt Reid. He is preceded in death by his brothers: Richard Reid, Tommy Reid; sisters: Melba Reid Joiner, Katie Reid Gaines.

The family wishes to thank Josephine Abrams for her love and devotion to Madden during his illness.

A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Avery Hanna officiating. Interment will be held in Westover Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will include: Roy Wyche, Jimmy McMurray, Richard Sheridan, Gordon Huff, Doug Wilson, and David Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the J. Madden Reid Augusta Housing Authority Academic Scholarship Fund c/o AHA, 1435 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com