Calling the death of Rev. Harry Reeder III a “tremendous loss,” Bruce Stallings, executive pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church broke the news to the congregation last Thursday.
Reeder, the church’s senior pastor since 1999, died in a car crash returning home from speaking at the state Legislature’s Medal of Honor ceremony. According to reports, Reeder’s car ran into the back of a dump truck that was making a turn on Dunnavant Valley Road in Shelby County around 10 a.m. Reeder was 75.
In a Facebook post, Stallings announced the news to the congregation.
“It is with a deeply heavy heart that I communicate to you that our Lord has called Pastor Reeder home through a car accident. Please pray for Cindy, Jennifer, Ike, Abby and their entire family as well as our staff and church family as we all grieve this tremendous loss together. But we do not grieve without hope because we know our pastor is with His Savior and has been received by grace with – ‘Well done My good and faithful servant.’”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, who attends Reeder’s church, said in a tweet the minister’s impact upon those around him was “enormous.”
“Reeder was more than a pastor, he was a dear friend, mentor, and a man who understood and exemplified Godly leadership. Harry had an enormous impact on the lives of countless men and women,” tweeted Palmer. “I will miss his teaching and his friendship, but I’m confident in knowing that one day I will see him again. Ann and I are praying for his family during this time.”
On the floor of the Alabama State Senate last Thursday, President Pro Tempore Greg Reed shared the news of Reeder’s death, calling it “a sad and difficult day.”
Prior to his role in leadership at Briarwood Presbyterian, he was also the pastor at Independent Bible Church in the Chattanooga area, Pinelands Presbyterian Church in Miami, and the founding pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in North Carolina.
Reeder is survived by his wife, Cindy, three children and several grandchildren.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
