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In Memoriam:
Frank Redd
Died September 6, 2002 on death row
The following was written by Renaldo Hudson, a fellow death row inmate
and a friend of Frank’s:
I thought the world of Frank Redd. He was like a big brother to me that
I had to look out for. He was one of the smartest men I ever knew. I
can’t think of any subject that he couldn’t help me with.
He used to spell like a walking dictionary. And he was a lawyer –
not a jail-house lawyer – he knew the law better than most lawyers.
I personally have legal issues in the court now that he pointed out
years ago.
He also loved to sing. When we were around each other we would sing
little parts of a song and say to each other, “you don’t know
anything about that song.” Then, if we knew, we would sing more
of that song. I always thought the song I Got a Little Red Rooster,
by Sarah Cook, was his favorite because sometimes when the gallery got
quiet, he would sing this song. Just hearing his voice would put a smile
on my face. I’m sure the other guys felt the same way.
Frank was a very great artist and poet. He also loved to dance. “Stepping”
is the dance he used to do. Frank also loved to play basketball. The
funny thing about it was when we played, the only thing he liked to
do was shoot the 3-point shot. He could shoot it from anywhere on the
court!
I remember talking with Frank a lot about how much we missed family
barbeques.
I’ll tell you a personal part of Frank Redd’s and my friendship:
What made me love him was that I never heard him judge anyone. And he
used to quote the 91st Psalm word for word. In fact, we had a thing
between us. Anytime I was around and he was getting upset, I would say
to him, “Redd, quote the 91st Psalm.” He would smile and say
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty.”
This is the entire 91st Psalm. Frank will love that it is in something
written about him:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most
High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings
shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for
the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth
at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy
right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of
the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High,
thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague
come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep
thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy
foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and
the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver
him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with
him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
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