Reda McDaniel is not originally from Pickens, but she has lived there for 40 years. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Nov. 18, 1942. She lived there for 11 years before moving with her parents to Jacksonville, Fla. She attended Jacksonville High School.[cointent_lockedcontent]

On April 13, 1963, Reda married Lewis McDaniel of Pickens. He was serving in the Navy and stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

Reda and Lewis lived in Jacksonville for two and a half years before he was transferred to the Lemoore Naval Air Station in California. They were there for three years and then moved to Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii, where they lived for three years before being transferred back to California. From there, he was moved to Meridian Naval Air Station in Mississippi, where he served for three years.

The couple had four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Their first child was born in Florida, the second child was born in California, and the third child was born in Hawaii. Their last child —and only son — was born in California.

Reda and the children relocated with Lewis every time he had to move. She said she is thankful to have had the opportunity to live in so many different states and meet so many nice people.

While she was living in Hawaii, she took ukulele lessons. She also took cake decorating classes.

Carol Baker/Courier
Reda McDaniel volunteers at the Pickens Senior Center five days a week.

Reda was a stay-at-home mom, taking good care of her children. She did, however, work for about two years at retail sales in the sporting goods department at the Navy Exchange in Meridian, Miss.

After 20 years of service as an aviation electrician, Lewis retired from the Navy with the rank of E7 Chief Petty Officer. He and Reda came to Pickens and bought a house.

Their oldest child was enrolled in Pickens Middle School, and the other three were enrolled at Holly Springs Elementary, where Reda served as a substituted teacher from 1982-84. She was always involved in the children’s school work and attended PTA meetings. All four of her children graduated from Pickens High School.

Lewis passed away in 2007.

Reda said she thoroughly enjoys living in Pickens now, but she had to get used to the mountain roads and curves, because she had always lived where the land was flat.

She worked for a year and a half in Pickens at United Five and Ten Cent Store.

One of Reda’s favorite things to do is cook. She volunteers in the kitchen at the Pickens Senior Center every weekday morning and every Tuesday night. She has been helping prepare food there for four years. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to be able to give her time.

Reda is a very friendly and caring person. She is always willing to lend an ear and give a helping hand to anyone who needs her.

Easley resident Carol Baker highlights interesting local residents and helps us get to know more about the fascinating people who call Pickens County home. If you have someone somewhere who you think people should know about, contact us at news@thepccourier.com.[/cointent_lockedcontent]