Reginald Wayne Lemon

Reginald Wayne Lemon was born on July 17, 1956, in Albany, GA, to Thelma Davis Lemon and Ulysses Lemon.  Although he was the second youngest of six siblings (4 brothers and 1 sister), they all say he was very protective and was truly a good BIG brother.  As a child, his sister Linda says he was very creative; he would take the clothespins and make Cowboys and Indian toys.  Reggie’s thirst for knowledge and love of reading started at Lincoln Heights Elementary School and continued throughout Southside Middle School, Monroe High School, and Albany State University.  He was a stand-out, “in-the-paint”, dominating starting center for the Monroe High School Tornadoes’ Basketball Team and a 1974 graduate. Reggie’s basketball skills will be remembered by many as he continued dominating the paint while playing for several City League Basketball teams and Corporate Leagues in Albany, GA, during the late 1970s and 1980s.  He left Albany State University in 1978 to begin his working career as head chef for Morrison Cafeteria; a papermaker for The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, Albany, GA; chef at Phoebe Putney Hospital; and chef at Aramark Corp. on the campus of Albany State University. 

Reggie was baptized at an early age by Rev. Robert A. Lark at Hines Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  He later joined the Old St. Stephen Baptist Church, Leesburg, GA under the pastorate of Rev. Weldon Richardson where he became an ordained deacon on April 20, 1980.  It was there that he began to strengthen his Faith and gain a love for reading the Word of God and enjoying traditional gospel songs.  His favorite song is “I Know It Was His Blood That Saved Me”.  His favorite Bible verse is Psalm 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” His favorite Bible Story is of the three brave young men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-30). 

Reggie had many other favorites.  He enjoyed watching his Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs football teams play.  He enjoyed eating as much as he enjoyed cooking.  He was famous for his Bar-B-Q, fried chicken, seafood gumbo, and salmon just to mention a few.  He loved his baby daughter Talao’s cooking.  She and his baby brother Billy had him spoiled.  He made his requests and they prepared them and/or purchased them as ordered, every week or whenever the requests were made.  His favorite foods were Bar-B-Q, cube steak, baked chicken, oxtails, lasagna, and spaghetti. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was his favorite TV show; Denzel Washington was his favorite actor and Madea’s Family Reunion was his favorite movie, especially the scenes with Cicely Tyson and Maya Angelou.  Reggie’s favorite time of the day was morning.  His favorite colors were black & white, red and beige. Although he loved R&B music, especially Earth, Wind, & Fire (he called them the elements), his favorite genre of music was traditional Gospel.  Reggie and his brother Henry were “tailgate enthusiasts”; they followed Albany State football teams everywhere.  He used to be hard to beat playing pool, as well.  In his later years, his favorite pastime included sitting in the front yard, listening to the radio, and of course, READING A NEWSPAPER, including the Classified ADs!

For the last six months, it was the visits of family and friends that kept him encouraged by reminiscing of the good ole days.  His heart smiled anytime he talked about his grandsons, Jaxson, Jace, and Karter.  Constantly reading and discussing the Word of God, praying, and singing old traditional gospel songs helped equip him for his transition.  On Saturday, August 12, 2023, Reggie’s battle with Glioblastoma ended, and he entered into the presence of the Lord. “His house was in order”.  He was prepared to leave his old house to go to his new home.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Henry Allen Lemon; dear aunts, Mary Alice Davis and Carrie Davis; and his grandmother, Jessie Lemon. 

Reggie is survived by his children, Kenya T. Lemon, Jamaal Rashaad Lemon, and Talao Ramillia Lemon; grandsons, Jaxson Allan Lemon, Jace Lemon, Karter Blake; granddaughter, Jaea Lemon; sister, Linda Lemon; brothers, Harold Marshall, Edward Lemon, and William “Billy” Lemon; loyal friends, LaVerne Levins and Anne “AJ” Johnson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

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