Bessie Mae Reese

BESSIE MAE REESE was born on Friday, January 15, 1937, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to the union of Reverend Lawyer Clark and Margaret Clark. She was the eldest of six children. Bessie accepted the Lord and was baptized by her grandfather, at a small church, in Coahoma County. On April 27, 1956, Bessie Clark married her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, Joel Reese. At a young age, she left the family she loved dearly, to start a new life with a new husband and child. Their destination was Columbus, Ohio. Over the years, their family of one grew to become a family of seven. "Seven" was her favorite number. In Columbus, she worked to support her family, met new friends, and joined the church community, serving on ministries, doing God's work. Bessie was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. It surprised some to find out that Bessie also played competitive sports. She was a softball pitcher for many years, playing in city leagues and softball tournaments. Her coach for all those years was her one and only husband. As a young girl, Bessie was a member of the 4H Agriculture Club, for she had a "green thumb." She was very skillful in planting and gardening. This was a passion Bessie had all her life and enjoyed sharing what she knew. Bessie always looked forward to good times with her family at home and at outside gatherings, especially during the holidays, where everyone came for mom's home cooking and sweet potato pie. No distance could separate her love for her sisters and brothers. Bessie loved her family with all her heart. On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, Bessie took her rest in eternal power but not before she received prayers, kisses, and messages of love. In addition to her parents, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband of an incredible 58 years, Joel Reese (2014); brothers, Eddie "Sonny" Clark and Lawyer Clark Jr.; and grandson, Dwayne Reese. Bessie is survived by sons, Joel Reese Jr. and Michael (Debbie) Reese; daughters, Marilyn Reese, Sharon Reese, and Doris Reese; sisters, Edna Henry of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Bobbie Dulaney of North Carolina; brother, Willie (Barbara) Clark of Rosedale, Mississippi; nine grandchildren, Larry, Tiffany, Tonya, Rhonda, Branden, Destiny, Michael Jr. and Carey; Eleven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.