Duke Reid, former mayor of Chase City, dies at age 80


Alvin Duke Reid, who served for 10 years as Chase City’s mayor and founded Reid’s Bookkeeping and Tax Service in town, died Saturday at the age of 80.

A genial presence as mayor and as a Town Council member before that, Reid began his career in town government with a four-year stint on Town Council and became mayor in 1998. He continued to serve in that capacity until 2008, when he opted not to run for another term and was succeeded by current Chase City Mayor Eddie Bratton.

Mr. Reid was born on Feb. 23, 1937 in Durham, N.C. to the late Alvin Noyd Reid and Selma Ball Reid Robinson. He was a lifetime member of Liberty Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and treasurer.

He was a member of Chase City Lodge No. 119, Danville Bodies of Scottish Rites, Acca Temple in Richmond, and a 32 Degree Mason. Duke, as he was known by friends and associates, retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation in accounting and went on to become the founder and owner/operator of Reid’s Booking and Tax Service in Chase City. The business was sold to Roger Bailey and operates today as Southside Accounting Services.

Duke Reid is survived by his wife, Helen Newcomb Reid; two sons, Daryle A. Bailey of Chase City and Duane E. Bailey and wife, Sharon of Keysville; five grandchildren; Jonathan Bailey, Justin Bailey, Christen Seay and husband, Darell, Tyler Crute and wife, Jessi, and Chris Wilkinson and wife, Laura; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Leonard Reid and wife, Sherry and Charles Reid and wife, Trudy; two sisters, Kathy Allen and husband, James and Mary Legge and husband, Timothy; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and his best friends, Hubert G. Tollerson and wife, Dorothy and Harvey E. Smith and wife, Charlotte.

A funeral was held Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church. Entombment followed in the church cemetery.

Visitation was held on Monday, Sept. 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Newcomb Allgood Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1260 Wilkerson Road, Skipwith, VA 23968.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.newcomballgoodfh.com.

Newcomb Allgood Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.

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