Reginald Leslie French

Reginald Leslie French was born to Mary LueVenia (Hemphill) French and Cornelius Leslie French on December 2, 1953 in Queens, New York. He was their first of five children – Adrienne, Cornelius II, Leslie, and Desi. Reginald quickly began to display the bright and lively intellect that would pave the way for his many successes in life. He attended Linden-Jamaica Seventh-day Adventist elementary school, along with his siblings, and consistently earned the highest grades. He graduated with honors from Northeastern Academy in Bronx, New York and then went on to attend Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in Huntsville, Alabama. While attending Oakwood College, Reginald’s love for numbers and accounting began to take shape. He was elected Treasurer of the United Student Movement and served for two years. He also worked in Oakwood’s finance office and enjoyed playing basketball on the campus team. In May 1975, he graduated with honors and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Accounting. He enrolled in Hoftstra University and once again distinguished himself with high academic achievement and received a Master of Business Administration Degree. Shortly thereafter, he completed the CPA exam and became a Junior Accountant at the Arthur Andersen Accounting firm. Reginald stayed at Arthur Andersen for several years, receiving promotions along the way. Reginald was the Chief Financial Officer at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, New York and the Jewish Museum on the upper east side of Manhattan. Reginald married Beverly Coy in 1981, and to this union two children were added, Kenisha and Justin. The family attended the Linden Seventh-day Adventist Church in Laurelton, New York and were active in every area of church life. The children attended Sabbath School and participated in the Bible Bowl, where their father, Reginald, coached the team to a national championship. Reginald also worked as the church’s Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer for the school day care, and served on the church school board.   Reginald moved to the Dallas, Texas area in 2006 after his marriage ended. He began working as an accountant for Corliss Stone-Littles, LLC. In 2006 he met Joyce Hunt and they were married two years later. Reginald and Joyce began attending the Agape Seventh-day Adventist church, where he began serving God in Sabbath School as a teacher. He often brought his elderly mother, whom he affectionally always called “Mommy”, with him to church there. Reginald loved to expound the Word of God and enjoyed the warmth and Christian fellowship of Agape. So much so, that after moving to Houston in 2010 to assume the position of Chief Financial Officer at Houston Arts Alliance; Reginald continued to commute to Agape Fellowship in DeSoto, Texas to teach Sabbath School. In 2014 he joined Ten Forty Plus Quality Tax Preparation as a Senior Accountant. He continued there until his untimely death on February 11, 2019. Among his many great merits, Reginald was an avid sports enthusiast and actively participated in running, tennis, and biking throughout his life. He was a scholar, history buff, and prolific writer; he frequently wrote personal notes of encouragement, passion, and sympathy to his friends. Most notably, however, he was dearly loved for his larger than life personality and vivacious smile. His infectious laughter embodied how he embraced life. Reginald French will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hunt French; mother, Mary French; son, Justin French (Crystal); daughter, Kenisha French; Beverly Coy French, mother of Kenisha and Justin; sister, Adrienne French McClain; brothers, Cornelius French II (Rosalyn) and Desi French (Macxine); granddaughter, Dyllan French; nephews, Xavier French, Cornelius French III, Wynton McClain, Elyjah French, and Caleb French; nieces, Ashley French, Deneé French, Francene French, Joy French, and Hope French; stepchildren, Joi Lin Hunt Venison (Corey) and Randall Hunt (Stevi); and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Cornelius Leslie French, and his brother, Leslie French. The family will receive friends on Friday - February 22, 2019 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Agape Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2089 W. Pleasant Run Rd., Lancaster, TX 75146 with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 A.M. (same day). Interment will follow in Little Bethel Memorial Park, 1803 Cedar Hill Rd., Duncanville, TX 75137. Repast:  Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 2000 W. Pleasant Run Rd., Lancaster, TX 75146.