Just days after being sworn in, Marshall County Commission Chairman David Reed passed away on Wednesday.

Prior to joining the commission, Reed was a longtime member and chairman of the Guntersville Board of Education.

Marshall County Attorney Clint Maze said that Reed had been named by Governor Kay Ivey to fill the vacancy left open following the death of Chairman James Hutcheson, who passed away on May 3.

“Marshall County is shocked and saddened to announce the passing of Chairman Reed this afternoon,” Maze stated. “Chairman Reed was appointed on June 9, 2025, by Governor Ivey to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Chairman Hutcheson and was sworn in by Judge Tim Riley on June 11, 2025. Please pray for Chairman Reed’s family as they deal with the shock and grief of his sudden and untimely death.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), who represents the Marshall County area, expressed his condolences to the Reed family in a post on X.

I am sad to hear of the passing of the new Marshall County Commission Chairman David Reed. He was just appointed to the office on June 9 after the death of Chairman Hutcheson. I send my prayers and condolences to the Reed family.

— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) June 20, 2025

The county commission has yet to appoint an interim chair. Per the Alabama Political Reporter, Marshall County officials have said the vacancy will be addressed at the group’s meeting early next week.

Reed is the fourth consecutive chairman to die while holding the position. His church, the Guntersville Church of Christ, reported that he suffered a fatal fall at his home.

Additional information will be released after the family has made funeral arrangements.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten