Selma celebrated the first F.D. Reese Day on Monday, honoring the educator, minister and civil rights leader with a ceremony at Selma High School and caravan through the city past landmarks where he left his mark.

Reese died in 2018 at age 88 after a long career in education with Selma City Schools, 50 years as pastor of Ebenezer and service in politics as a Selma City Councilman.

March 15 was the day named for Reese by the Selma City Council for this year, but it will be held on March 21 after this year, with the significance being it was the first day of the Voting Rights March in 1965.

Reese was honored with speakers and proclamations from Mayor James Perkins Jr., Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn, Selma City Schools Superintendent Avis Williams and Councilwoman Lesia James, who pushed to get the day named for Reese.

Reese’s wife, Alline C. Reese, was in attendance along with other family members.

Read more in the print edition of the Selma Sun on Thursday.

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