"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" II Timothy 4:7 The Reverend Richard Lewis Reese, was born on May 29, 1941 in Columbia, South Carolina, son of the late Buster Leedell and Irene Reese. He was raised by Mary Jane Reese Davis. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend heard the call of God, and took the hand of an angel sent by the Heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, SC. Richard received his education the public schools of Richland County, SC. He attended Theology School in Columbia, SC. For many years, he was employed as a truck driver in the logging business. He was employed as a chauffeur for the Mayor of the City of Columbia where he retired. At an early age, Richard became a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church. He served in many capacities within the church. He began singing as a little boy. Richard, his cousins, and a friend (Moses, Henry, Robert and Freddie) established a gospel group. Richard's love for singing and for the Lord led him to join many other gospel groups and gospel quartets. In serving the Lord in spirit and truth, he was called to preach the Gospel. Richard later joined New Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Jamestown, SC, where he served as an assistant pastor until his health failed. He served on the M. L. King Committee and various other committees in the Jamestown community. He also served as assistant pastor at Jerusalem United Methodist Church in Trio, SC. Richard dedicated over 20 years of ministry and preaching the Word of God for many in the body of Christ. On August 8, 1964, Richard was united in Holy Matrimony to Dolores Ramsey. This union was blessed with three children. Dolores preceded him in death on September 15, 1999. Richard later united in marriage to Sophia Hall, in which he gain two more loving children. He leaves to cherish: his devoted wife, Sophia Hall Reese; five daughters, Sanfanae Reese, Richauna Reese, Allaina (Charles) Williams, Latrina Robinson and Joyce (Malcolm) Robinson-Nash; eleven grandchildren, Kabreil, Kayla, Kyleir, Kahmeille, Christopher, Latia, Ryan, Zharia, Taylor, Malachi and Noah; two great-grandchildren, Kabreil Jr. and Kayden; one granddaughter-in-law, Myesha Jackson Reese; two sisters-in-law, Elouise Hopkins and Betty Morrison; devoted family friends, L.K and Evelyn Snider, Jimmy and Jean Callum, and Rev. Wilbert Harris; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.