Nellie Mae (Garrett) Reese

Mrs. Nellie Mae Garrett Reese was born on July 22, 1939 to Rev. E.G. Garrett and Ella Swain in Sylacauga, Alabama. She attended East Highland High School and was employed at Coosa Valley Medical Center. She retired after 34 years of service.

At a young age, Nellie accepted Christ as her savior and joined Shiloh Baptist Church. Later, she joined Rising Star Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and as Advisor to the Junior Girls Missionary Board. She was a devoted member of Rising Star Baptist Church until her illness.

Nellie had many favorite activities. She loved to cook for her family and friends. Her specialties were baking cakes and preparing holiday meals that consisted of enough food to feed families and friends who visited. Planting and nurturing beautiful plants and flowers were her pride and joy, and she could name them all. Additionally, she enjoyed sharing her plants and gardening tips with others. Fellowshipping with family and friends was also a favorite past-time. She was known to always be on the move and never met a stranger. Her love for people was evident in her daily interactions.

Preceding her in death were her father, Rev. E.G. Garrett; mother, Ella Swain; step-mother, Marie Garrett; daughter, Norma Alexander; two sisters: Emma Lou Murray and Patricia Garrett Jones; and four brothers: James Garrett, William Earl Garrett, Rev. Jerome Garrett, and Howard Garrett.

Mr. Lee Reese and Mrs. Nellie were married for 27 years, uniting in Holy Matrimony on April 20, 1992. They loved and supported each other as well as other family members and friends.

God saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. Nellie closed her loving eyes and entered into eternal rest on October 17, 2019.

Left to cherish her memories are: a loving and devoted husband, Lee “Tom” Reese of Sylacauga, AL; two sons, Johnny Frank Williamson of Goodwater, AL and Andrew Reese of Alexander City, AL; two daughters, Dawn Shenell Ashley of Huntsville, AL and Shandall Shevette Welch (Dwight) of Birmingham, AL; eight siblings, Patsy Dark, Glenda (Ben) Wright, Rose Marie Garrett (Walter) Hutchings, Barbara (Bliss) Shealey and Carolyn Jones all of Sylacauga, AL; Joanne (Robert) Scott of Cincinnati, OH and Gennette Oden of Riverview, FL and David (Joyce) Garrett of Harpersville, AL; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; special friends: Ms. Magalene Brazier and Ms. Thelma Brooks; and a host of relatives, church family and many friends.

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