Deacon Archie L. Reid

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.  2. And the Lord answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie, though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Habakkuk 2:1-3

On Monday, August 3, 1953, a beautiful bouncing baby boy was born to the late Mr. Nathaniel Theodore Reid and the late Mrs. Alice Gibbs Reid, in Charleston, SC, and given the name Archie Lee.   He departed this earthly life on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

Archie Reid received his education in the public schools of Charleston County through the fourth grade.  After moving to Berkeley County, he attended R.A. Ready Elementary School from the fifth grade through the eighth grade and Berkeley Training High School from the ninth grade through the eleventh grade.  When Berkeley Training High School closed due to the completion of the final stage of “integration“, Archie attended and graduated from Berkeley High School in May 1971.  He attended and completed the Air Force Training Leadership at McGuire Air Force Base, in New Jersey and received a Diploma in 1977 in Leadership Development. He attended and completed the NCO Academy at McGuire AFB, and received a Diploma and became a Non-Commissioned Officer in 1984. Archie attended and completed First Sergeant Academy at Keesler AFB, in Mississippi and received a Diploma in 1988, and was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.  He attended and completed Senior NCO Academy at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL and received a Diploma and was promoted to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in 1990.  Archie attended and completed Community College of the Air Force, Charleston, SC, in 1993 and receive a Diploma-CCAF. He attended and graduated from Limestone College, Gaffney, SC, and received a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice, in 2003.  

Archie began his Christian journey as a young boy, with his family at the Moncks Corner Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostolic Faith, Inc., Moncks Corner, SC. Archie was baptized in Jesus and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in 1998.  He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Church and was ordained as a Deacon during the South Carolina Palmetto Diocese Holy Convocation.  He served as Local President of the Armor Bearer’s Young People’s Union, Local President of Brotherhood Department and Assistant President of the South Carolina Palmetto Diocese Brotherhood Department, Local Usher Board Member, Male Choir Member, Sunday School Member and Teacher, Church Security Coordinator, Local and South Carolina Palmetto Diocese Women Council Booster, Local, South Carolina Palmetto Diocese and International Ministers and Deacon Wives Guild Supporter, and as a Member of the International Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostolic Faith, Inc. Security Team.  He was an exuberant Praise and Worship Leader at his local church!   

Archie, at the tender age of 18 years, began his military career by entering the United States Air Force in October 1971.  Upon completion of Basic Training, he entered Technical Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and graduated as a Air Force Security Specialist.  His first assignment was Detachment 183, Murted, Turkey, from February 1973 to March 1973.  While there, he performed duties as Custodian Agent, Flight Chief, Entry Controller and Alarm Monitor.  He was then assigned to Griffin Air Force Base, New York.  While there, he was selected twice to participate on the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Giant Sword Team.  He also performed Area Supervisor and Master Surveillance Control Facility Monitor for all alarms.  He was later transferred to Charleston Air Force Base in 1980, where he performed duties as Security Constable, in which he received a “You’re #1” award from the Wing Commander after receiving an “Outstanding” rating during an inspection from higher headquarters.  He performed other duties such as Flight Chief, NCOIC Security Police Training and NCOIC of Quality Control.  He was involved in numerous Air Base Ground Defense Deployments such as Bold Eagle in Florida and Brim Frost in Alaska.  He deployed over eight times to the Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) Training site, once as the Flight Commander, a position always filled by an officer.  As Senior Master Sergeant, Archie was the First Sergeant for the 437th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 437th Logistics Group, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.  The 437th Equipment Squadron provided quality aircraft maintenance, components and munitions support to the 437th Airlift Wing through the talents and energy of approximately 350 military, reserve and Air Force Reserve Technicians.

Archie was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base when he met, fell in love and dated the love of his life in 1972.  Five wonderful years later, he and Paula Louise Pangburn entered into holy matrimony on September 16, 1977. This union was blessed with four adorable children: Jathon, Martin, Terence and Shauntel.  

Archie, a retired military veteran, but still vibrant and young at heart, felt the need to continue his quest to be a servant, sought and obtained employment at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Charleston, SC, in 1999.  While employed at MUSC, he served in the following capacities: Security Officer, Medical Center – 1993-2005, Security Shift Leader, Medical Center – 2005-2010 and Security Coordinator, MUSC Institute of Psychiatry and Medical Center, 2010-2020.  After retirement in 2020, he became a temporary Volunteer Driver for the  Ralph Johnson Veterans’ Administration Hospital, Charleston, SC, to assist disabled veterans with care packages and appointments.

Archie was an avid sports fan and coached many youth basketball teams while in the military and as a civilian.  He gave unselfishly of his resources to those who were hospitalized and/or sick at home and even to those in need.  He was a long-time member of the Big Brother Program.  He held many Certifications to include Annual AED/CPR- 1999-2020, 20 Credit Hours in Psychology, related to Health Care, AED and many recognition and achievement awards.

Archie was preceded in death by: his wife, Paula Pangburn Reid; sons, Jathon Bellamy and Terence Reid; parents, Alice and Nathaniel Reid; and sister, Vera Reid.

He leaves to cherish fond memories: his children, Martin (Nicole) Reid and Shauntel (Jeremy) Moultrie; grandchildren, Mya, Sofia, Macai, Mikell, Melody and Trinity; siblings, Jerome (Alma), Clarence (Marie) Reid, Miriam (Calvin) Limehouse and Allison Bellinger; two aunts: Daisy Dawson of Bronx, NY and Alma Burden of Moncks Corner, SC; two uncles, Joe Gibbs of Philadelphia, PA and Sass Burden of Moncks Corner, SC; a special cousin and BFF, Andrea Spann Hamilton; nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Chapel, 1757 Chapel Drive, (Bldg 707 Chapel Drive) Goose Creek, SC. Burial will take place in Moncks Corner Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Cemetery, 1027 Cooper Store Road, Moncks Corner, SC.