John Burwell "Jack" Reed

John Burwell Reed
On November 10, 2022 John Burwell Reed (Jack) , loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 89.
Jack was born in Silver City, MS. on February 2, 1933, to Burwell Swayze Reed and Hallie Slaughter Reed. He was the youngest of three children. After attending Gulf Coast Military Academy, he attended his beloved Ole Miss. Jack’s dad did not want him to go to Ole Miss as he was a Mississippi State alum. However, Jack chose the Rebels after being recruited by Coach Tom Swayze, with whom he remained close friends for the rest of his life. His decision to attend Ole Miss started a family tradition from that point on-all of his children, nieces and nephews and some grandchildren have attended the school. He loved his time there and was a lifelong supporter. It is also where he met the love of his life, Mabel Louise Trantham. They married on September 18, 1954, and were together for 68 happy years.
Jack excelled in athletics at all levels starting in High School at GMCA where he played football for Mike Campbell, future great defensive coordinator for Darrell Royal’s great Texas teams. At Ole Miss he starred in baseball, football and track and field. He played safety and quarterback on Coach John Vaught’s earliest great Rebel teams and was an All SEC performer for baseball Coach Tom Swayze. After his junior year, he signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees. During his time with the Yankee organization, he served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1957. He played in the majors for the Yankees as Micky Mantle’s back up in center field from 1961-1963. He appeared in 3 World Series, winning 2 during his time there. Jack is one of only 4 people to have played in a major college football bowl game (1953 Sugar Bowl) and a World Series (1961, 1962 and 1963). Another great achievement was hitting a home run off Phil Regan of the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd inning to end the longest game in Yankee history. He was also a lifelong golfer and enjoyed playing long after his baseball career was over. Jack was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame and was awarded the Unsung Sports Hero award by the Downtown Nashville Sports Foundation.
Jack returned home to Silver City when his father died in 1966 to farm and became a vital part of the community. He was always a leader-on the field, at church, at home and in the community. He charmed anyone he met. Everyone knew and loved him, as evidenced by the “Home of Jack Reed” sign on the way into Silver City that was erected by his beloved community.
However, Jack had more than sports talent. He had a beautiful voice and always sang inspiring solos at Church at Christmas and Easter. He coached countless youth teams anytime there was a need. He was a wonderful public speaker-he never turned down a request to speak at youth events, civic events, etc. He even once preached a sermon on the fly when the minister was sick! He never accepted payment and never used a note or outline, it all came from the heart.
Most of all, he was a wonderful Father-always fun, fair, helpful, knew all the answers, strong, inspirational and loving. He will be so missed.
Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 12 at the Silver City United Methodist Church. The Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am with the Reverend Richard Wiman officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Belzoni cemetery. Pallbearers are Drew Millwood, Dustin Millwood, Reed Millwood, Jake Collier, Cade White, Owen Grace, Jim Reed, Hal Bridges and Noel Crook.
Jack was preceded in death by his mother Hallie Slaughter Reed, his father, Burwell Swayze Reed, his brother James Slaughter Reed (Catherine) and sister Nancy Reed Bridges (Hal).
He is survived by his wife, Lou Reed of Silvery City, MS. and children John Burwell Reed, Jr. (Deidre), Gai Reed Millwood (Johnny) of Petal, Ms., Roy Anne Reed Beckham (Don) of Houston, TX and Swayze Reed Collier (Robert) of Biloxi, MS, as well as grandchildren Swayze Reed White (Cade) of Houston, TX, Drew Millwood (Katie) of Dumas, MS., Dustin Millwood (Shannon) of Petal, MS., Reed Millwood of Mount Vernon, IL, Alex Beckham of Houston, TX, Sydney Beckham of Houston, TX, Madison Collier Grace(Owen) of Brandon, MS., Margaret Goodwin Bankston of Oxford, MS., and Jake Collier of Biloxi, Ms. He is also survived by great grandchildren Hallie White, Eloise White, Johnny Millwood, Beau Millwood, Lydia Millwood, Avery Grace, Smith Grace, and Daniel Bankston and his beloved nieces and nephews.
The Family would like to especially thank the people who helped with Jack’s care and who were all so very important in his life-his nephew Jim Reed, his nephew Hal Bridges and his wife Beth, his niece Hallie Gail Crook and her husband Noel, Kay Carver and Terrie Ann Williams-Frizell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Silver City United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 28, Silver City, MS., 39166​
Mortimer Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.