Leonard Earl Reid
February 16, 1929 – July 25, 2025
Leonard Earl Reid, 96, passed away peacefully at home in Rogersville, Alabama on July 25, 2025, with his family by his side.
Born on February 16, 1929, in Leighton, Alabama to Julius and Viola Mozelle Reid, Leonard lived a full and adventurous life. He earned an engineering degree from Auburn University and went on to have a long and successful career. He worked for General Electric for 30 years and 10 years for Newport News Shipbuilding. His work took him around the world, living and working throughout South America and Asia, including time in Venezuela.
Leonard and his wife Ellen Joyce (Cornelison) Reid, whom he married on April 28, 1951, raised a family while living in Suffern, New York. They shared an extraordinary bond and were happily married for 74 years. In retirement, they made their home in Rogersville, Alabama.
A man of many talents and passions, Leonard was known for his ability to fix just about anything. He enjoyed building snow sculptures, working on cars, crafting model airplanes and model trains, and was a gifted handyman who even built the fireplace and chimney in their New York home. Leonard also designed and built their retirement home in Alabama and was very proud of his pristine yard in NY, where not a single dandelion dared to grow. He loved singing in his church choir and acting in the Little Theater in Westchester, New York.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Joyce Reid; daughter Cindy Proctor; grandchildren Cristen Gomez, Nikki Carter (Makayla), Tommy Gomez (Haley), and Joey Gomez; great-grandchildren Brayden, Ryder, and Gabby; half-brother Larry Reid; half-sister Carol Lynn Brock (Glenn); and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Viola Reid, father Julius Reid, son Wesley Leonard Reid, son-in-law Larry Travis Proctor, and siblings Dollie Bell Shannon and Mary Jane Wilson.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rachel Rosa for the devoted care and kindness she gave Leonard, and for walking beside Joyce throughout this journey. Her compassion, patience, meals at Fat Cats, Thursday trips to the grocery store & the Blue Box, and endless games of checkers will never be forgotten.
Leonard Reid’s legacy lives on through the love he shared, the memories he built, and the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
Funeral Arrangements:
On Thursday, July 31st, there will be a visitation at Rogersville Funeral Home from 12-1 with service officiated by Fred Karthaus to follow at 1:00pm.
Then on Friday, August 1st a Graveside Burial in Birmingham at Elmwood Cemetery beginning at 1:00 pm.
