(Photo: Reid Family, Lyle, Libba, Betsy, Martha Lyle and Bob, September 2014)

The Tennessee Supreme Court conducted a special session of the court late last week in Jackson. They weren’t hearing cases — rather honoring former Chief Justice Lyle Reid. During the session Reid’s family unveiled a portrait to be hung in the foyer of the Supreme Court building in Jackson.

Jamie Lee McMahan, a Lauderdale County artist, created the painting.

Reid, who began his career in law in Brownsville in 1957, was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance in 1986 by Governor Ned R. McWherter. He was appointed Associate Judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in 1987 and then elected in 1988. From 1990 to 1994 he served as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, and continued to serve on the Supreme Court as Justice until 1998.

Judge Reid received the American Judicature Award for the Effective Administration of Justice following his tenure as Chief Justice. He received the National Center for State Courts Distinguished Service Award in 1998.