Lester Christman

L. Reed Christman, 80, of Kernersville, NC, died at Forsyth Medical Center on May 2, 2022 with his family at his side.

Reed was born November 17, 1941 in Takoma Park, Maryland to Eleanor Lanita and Lester Lewis Christman. After growing up in Gainesville, Georgia, Reed finished his high school years at Collegedale Academy in Collegedale, TN. Reed then attended Southwestern Junior College (now Southwestern Adventist University) in Keene, Texas where he met Patricia Kathlyn Martin in 1959. Reed and Patricia continued their college education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1962.

Reed and Patricia married on July 14, 1963 in Hooker, Oklahoma

Reed attended the University of Southern Mississippi, while his wife taught at Bass Memorial Academy.

He continued his education at Andrews University until he was drafted into the army in February 1967. In the Army, Reed was a non-combatant who served in the White Coats, worked at Walter Reed Hospital and was a member of the army golf team.

A teacher, pastor, and counselor, Reed taught at Adventist schools in Lubbock, Texas; Suitland, Maryland; Salisbury, Maryland; Spencerville, Maryland before moving to Collegedale, Tennessee to serve as a dean of men and Bible teacher at Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University).

While working as a dean of men at Southern, Reed completed his Master’s in counseling from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Reed served as pastor of the Lenoir City and Maryville (TN) Seventh-day Adventist Churches from 1987-1996 and Johnson City (TN) Seventh-Day Adventist Church from 1996-2001.

In retirement, Reed continued his active service in the church. Creating, writing and directing the Walk-Through Bethlehem program at Kernersville (NC) Seventh-day Adventist Church and member of the church planting team for Triad Adventist Fellowship, where he was head elder for a term, taught Sabbath classes, and led a Grief Share class.   He taught baptismal classes at Tri-City Christian Academy, where he served on the school board. He continued to lead individual and group Bible studies up until his death.

Reed loved and served all with whom he came in contact.

Reed was preceded in death by his father, Dr. L.L. Christman, and mother, Eleanor Fairchild [Christman] Griffin. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Kathlyn Christman and two daughters, Stacey Christman Brackett (Bryant) and Andrea Diane Christman; his sister Truby Christman and brother Roy Christman and grandchildren Austin Reed Brackett (Abby), Tyler Christopher Brackett, Conner Tillman Brackett, Madison Lyn Brackett, and Ainsley Grace Loftus, and great granddaughter Emery Clarke Brackett.

A memorial service will be held 7:30 PM Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Tri-City Christian Academy in High Point, NC.