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From Memphis Commercial Appeal
Test expert Reid dies; praised for dedication to job
By William C. Bayne
Contact
July 5, 2005
Sandra 'Sandy' Reid, the director of accountability and research for
DeSoto County Schools, died Saturday of complications with recurrent cancer.
She was 53.
She had continued working until the last two weeks before her death as
the primary expert on testing for
county schools.
"She was the one who could explain what all the numbers meant,"
said Katherine Nelson, a schools spokesman.
Reid grew up in Frayser in Memphis and was a graduate of Frayser High
School. She obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from Memphis State
University and for a time worked at the old Sky View Academy in Frayser.
She joined DeSoto County Schools as a counselor in August 1992, first
assigned to Hernando Elementary, said Ken Reid, who worked with Sandy
Reid at Olive Branch Middle School. "She came to Olive Branch Middle
School in 1993 and helped as we put in some really innovative programs,"
Ken Reid said.
"She moved to Olive Branch High School in 1996 because she just
wanted to work with high school students," he said.
In 1998 she went to the district office as the lead counselor and in 2003
became director of accountability and research.
"She was an extremely hard worker," Ken Reid said. "She
was just a wonderful person, very intelligent. She was always upbeat.
"Even though she had gone through a number of tough things with her
illnesses and her family, she always seemed to have a sunny disposition."
"I was asked once whether I could give any negative comments about
Sandy and I said, 'Well, if the question ever comes up on whether she's
more dedicated to her job or her family, she'll come down on the side
of her family every time.'
"That's not much of a negative comment, but it was all I could offer,"
he said.
"Sandy's tireless effort, passion, loyalty were an inspiration to
her students, co-workers, friends, and family," said Milton Kuykendall,
superintendent of DeSoto County Schools.
"The love, care and teaching she shared throughout her life will
continue to grow through the people she cared about. She was a driving
force in the school district. She will be missed." Charlie Alexander,
assistant superintendent, said,
"Sandy was selfless and generous in helping others and modest in
describing her own accomplishments. "Sandy always gave much to others
and asked little in return. She was never too busy to stop and listen
to anyone who came into her office, no matter what her
workload. Her patience, skill and wisdom as head counselor helped hundreds
of youths and adults be successful."
Sandy Reid is survived by her husband, Sam Reid of Memphis, and their
two children, Britt Reid of Chattanooga, and Brooke Reid Phillips of Olive
Branch, and one son-in-law, Chris Phillips of Olive Branch.
A memorial service will be held at Forest Hill East Funeral Home at noon
today.
-- William C. Bayne: (901) 333-2012
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