Allen Evans Reeder, Jr.

Mr. Allen Evans Reeder, Jr. passed away December 25th, 2021 after a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old. Allen was in declining health for several years. He was born in Fort Mill, SC.

He graduated from Fort Mill High School. During this time, he met the love of his life, Helen “Joanne” Pettus, from the nearby community of Indianland, SC. Joanne survives Allen, and they were married for 68 years until his passing.

The son of the late Allen Reeder, Sr. and Ethel Brazell Reeder from Augusta, GA, Allen joined the Air Force. He began his service at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, TX. He was trained as an Officer Candidate, and was to begin pilot training but decided his family was more important. After four years of Air Force service, he continued his Air Force career until reaching Lt. Colonel status in the Air Force Reserves.

Allen graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was asked to work for DuPont prior to graduation, thus beginning his career with DuPont as a Mechanical Engineer until his retirement on November 1, 1992, with 32 years of service.

In his life, he loved the Lord, his family, and his country. He served the community of Camden for most of his life. Allen was a former Camden Bulldog President, Lions Club President, Methodist Youth Fellowship Leader, and Sunday school teacher at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church.

Allen and Joanne loved to travel. Together they shared many travel experiences with their children and grandchildren, creating lifelong memories. There were countless birthday celebrations, Halloween cookouts, Thanksgiving gatherings with Daddy’s special homemade dressing, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations, weddings, new births, Baptisms, high school and college graduations, and sports events celebrating unforgettable family memories. He was the perfect role model of a man and a father. He raised his children in the church and lived his life as a faithful Christian servant.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen, Sr. and Ethel, and his sisters, Kathleen and Dorothy. Allen is survived by his wife, Joanne; four children, Sandra Reeder Hornsby; Robin Reeder Nettles; Dennis (Ruth) Reeder; and Brent (Emily) Reeder; eight grandchildren, James Hornsby, Jr.; Aaron (Andrea) Nettles; Matthew (Kristin) Nettles; Phillip (Sarah) Nettles; Katie (Mitchel) Cooper; Thomas (Lauren) Reeder; Ben (Alex) Reeder; and Caroline Reeder; and nine great-grandchildren, Natalie Hornsby, Molly Hornsby, George Nettles, Walter Nettles, Ryland Nettles, Palmer Nettles, Riggs Cooper, Annabelle Cooper, and Weezie Reeder.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Schulze, Jr., cardiologist; Dr. Carl Kearse, primary care physician; the staff at MUSC Camden and Florence, and Regency Hospital in Florence.

Allen was an avid fisherman and sports enthusiast. We will carry him with us always in our hearts.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held on Monday, January 3rd, 2022, at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, beginning with a viewing from 9:45 AM – 10:25 AM, followed by a service at 10:30 AM. Bishop Gary Rivas will officiate. Interment with full military rites will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC at 12:00 PM.

Pall bearers are grandsons of Allen and Joanne, James Hornsby, Jr., Aaron Nettles, Matthew Nettles, Phillip Nettles, Thomas Reeder, and Ben Reeder.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

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