Illya Ernie Reed was born March 9, 1966 in Russellville, SC, a son of Dorothy Reed Middleton and the late Ernest Reed. He peacefully transitioned into eternal life with the Lord on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in Hampton, GA.

Ernie accepted Jesus as an early age and joined Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church. He continued his journey with Christ at World Changers Church International in Georgia.

Ernie believed in family and if there was an opportunity to be with them, he would. The outdoors, riding his motorcycle, and being around family and friends was what he truly enjoyed doing. When he was not with family and friends, he would volunteer with the following: Big Brothers Association, Fulton County Boys Club, and the South Carolina State Alumni Association. Ernie was also associated with the 100 Black Men Club of Atlanta, Inc.

Ernie graduated from St. Stephen High School in 1984. He continued his education at South Carolina State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in 1989. He was also a member of the Marching 101 band. In 1990, Ernie received a Certification of Effective Logistics Management from the University of Arkansas.

Ernie began his corporate career as a Receiving Manager with Walmart Distribution in July 1989 through July 1994. He then pursued a career with Ace Hardware Regional Distribution Center in Gainesville, GA from July 1994 to August 1998.

Ernie was presented with a career opportunity as an Operations/General Manager with W.W. Grainger Zone Distribution Center in Atlanta, GA from August 1998 to April 2002. During his employment with Grainger, he was responsible for a staff of 385 hourly employees, 3 process managers and 5 team leaders. His distribution territory includes 27 stores within the Southeast Region of the United States and a customer base that covered the entire United States and Puerto Rico.

Wanting to set another goal for himself, Ernie began ReedPrioleau Holdings, Inc., a Janitorial and Safety Supply Company serviced in Orlando, FL. His customer base grew 60% within one year and 200% Sales within one year.

The peak of Ernie's career began with Bass Pro Shops as a General Manager from September 2005 to December 2014. He was responsible for two of three Bass Pro Shop distribution centers in the United States (territory spans from the Midwest to the East Coast). He Managed all facets of a 800,000 square foot automated distribution center, to include security, human resources, information technology, transportation, receiving, order selection and shipping.

Ernie became the Director of Operations for Kehe Foods Distributions in February 2018. His staff included: three Managers, seven Supervisors, thirteen Team Leads and 207 employees within a six day a week 24 hour operation and serviced 325 stores in the Southeast with stores in the Philadelphia areas.

Ernie will be remembered for his caring spirit, love for others and love for God.

Ernie has left a powerful legacy for those left to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted mother, Dorothy A. (John) Middleton of Russellville, SC; siblings, Alonzo (Melissa) Reed of Greenville, SC, Faye Brown of St. Stephen SC, Shanacqua (Kenneth) Fant, Jamaal (Leslie) Reed, both of Columbia, SC and Frankie Spann of St. Stephen, SC; an adopted brother, Jarvis (Latrice) Riley of Columbia, SC; a loving grandmother, Maggie Prioleau of St. Stephen SC; a loving godmother and devoted great aunt, Naomi Dingle of St. Stephen, SC; three godchildren, Carissa Fripp of Greenville, SC, Rajee Reed of Chicago, IL and Tristin Wilson of Columbia, SC; loving aunts, Margaret Boone of St. Stephen, SC and Lilly (Johnathan) Lexington-Harris of New York; a devoted uncle, Isaac (Sarah) Prioleau of Columbia, SC; devoted great aunts, Willie Dean Region and Jeanette Brown both of St. Stephen, SC; dear friends, Carl Fripp, Vernon Pryor, Craig Williams, Lamont Jones, Arthur Holmes, Adolph Simmons, Ira Banks, and Sheldon Gadsden; special friend, Alex Henry; and a host of stepsisters, stepbrothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Reed; and an aunt, Annie Mae Ravenell.