Carlton M. "Bo" Reid passed away peacefully on April 4, 2016 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 6 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Coleman Funeral Home and the Memorial Service will be Thursday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ackerman Baptist Church.He was born August 27, 1931 to the late Hupert and Chessie Reid of Ackerman, MS.
A graduate of Ackerman High School, he was a proud member of the undefeated 1947 Ackerman Football team. Earning High School All-American honors he participated in the National High School All Star game in Corpus Christi, TX in 1948. As the first and only High School All American from AHS, his football jersey, #32, was retired in 1969.
He was awarded a football scholarship at Mississippi State University where he was a 3 year letterman, 3 time Associated Press Lineman of the Week and was named Associated Press All SEC First Team in 1952. He was also named a 3rd team All American by the Sports Writers Association. Elected Football Team Captain his senior year he was voted Mr. Mississippi State by the student body and selected as Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After teaching and coaching at Kosciusko High School for two years he served his country as Post Sports Officer and Football Coach at Fort Benning, GA and Fort Jackson, SC. He returned to Mississippi in 1957 to become Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Cleveland High School. In 1961,he became the first All American game participant to return as a coach.
In 1961 he became Dean of Men at Copiah Lincoln Junior College and also completed a Master of Education degree from Mississippi College. In 1962 he returned to Kosciusko High School as principal and Assistant Superintendent. In 1965-67 he served a Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Drew High School.
In 1967 he returned home to Ackerman, MS and was the MS sales representative for Josten's Graduate Supply Company until 1979 when he became manager of the Ackerman branch of Merchant & Farmers Bank of Kosciusko. He served in this role until 1994 when he became business development officer in Starkville, MS. Upon retirement in 1997 he served the people of Choctaw County as Economic Development Director until 2001.
In 1982 he was enshrined in the MS State Sports Hall of Fame for outstanding accomplishments in athletics and for high attributes and attainments of character and leadership. In 2001 he was awarded by the All American Football Foundation with the Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award and in 2009 he received the Distinguished American Award by the MSU Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
A member of Ackerman Baptist Church he faithfully served as Chairman of Finance, a trustee, a Sunday School teacher and Head Usher. He was one of the founding coaches of the Little League Football Association leading his Red Raiders to the first championship. A member of the Masonic Lodge and American Legion, he served as President of the Ackerman Rotary Club and received the Outstanding Rotarian award. A member of the Holmes Community College Development Foundation Board for more than ten years and he was also selected as a member of Pro-Mississippi Leadership Class. He served the MS State Alumni Association as the Central District Director for 6 years and a longtime member of the M Club and Bulldog Club where he was a avid supporter of MS State athletics.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers James Rupert Reid and John Allen Reid. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Jo Anne Arnold Reid, son Dale (Martha), of Ackerman, daughter Jan (Will) Bunch , of Saltillo, sister Louise Draper of Ackerman, Brother & sister in law Dr. Kent And Linda Cutrer of Lake Charles, LA, brother-in-law James R. Arnold III of Alpharetta, GA, grandchildren Miranda (Josh) Worrell, James Matthew "Bo" Reid of Lubbock, TX, Russell Reid Bunch and Annabelle Bunch of Saltillo and one great grandson Noah Worrell of Ackerman.
Memorials may be made to Ackerman Baptist Church Family Life Center and Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801.