Ms. Mary Reese

Mary Louise Reese was born November 18, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to Derrick D. and Jessie B. Kelly. From a young age, Mary demonstrated a love for life and for the Lord. Her father was a founding member of Greater Garth Chapel AME Church, where he also sang in the choir and loved playing the piano. Her mother was also faithful in the church, praising the Lord every Sunday from the second pew. As a youth, Mary and her siblings would go to a weekly bible study on Saturday mornings at Sister Akin’s house, a neighbor who also helped mentor her in the Lord. With such an upbringing, it is no wonder that Mary had a love for God’s word!

Mary was a product of the Dallas Independent School District:, H.S. Thompson, Pearl C. Anderson, and Lincoln High School. After graduating from high school in 1963, Mary continued her education at Bishop College, where she studied Business Administration. She would later earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Slidell Bible College in 2006. Her education enabled her to secure an Executive Secretary position at Texas Instruments, where she worked for 30 years. After retirement, she secured a part-time position with the City of Dallas. Once again, Mary would enter retirement, this time after 10 years of service with the City of Dallas.

In the summer of 1964, Mary married Jim D. Braggs. To this union, two (2) beautiful children were born: Kimberly L. Smith and Jim D. Braggs, Jr. After 14 years of marriage, a divorce ensued however, Mary found love again with Gus A. Reese, a Biology teacher from Longview, Texas, who taught at South Oak Cliff High School. They shared 33 wonderful years together. When her husband, Gus, became ill, Mary was right by his side. She cared for him until his death in 2013.

Mary was definitely a soldier for the Lord. Her pursuit of God and her demonstration of His love to others continued to be cultivated through her faithful attendance and service at Greater Garth Chapel AME Church, where she was a member for most of her adult life. She served as Women’s Missionary Society President for four (4) years and Stewardess President for over ten (10) years. She also served as the event coordinator for the church where she set up flowers around the church every Saturday for the Sunday worship service. In her later years, Mary attended and participated in the Prayer ministry at Concord Missionary Baptist Church. She also took part in a small Jabez prayer group once a month with some of her closest friends.

Mary’s hobbies included walking at Kiest Park, baking cakes for friends and family, and watching westerns and romantic movies. Her favorite scripture was Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for Me?” and her favorite saying was “God loves you and so do I“. She would always raise her hand up to the Lord in almost every picture that she took.

Mary L. Reese was an amazing woman of God, faithful wife, loving mother, dedicated sister, and most caring friend. She touched so many lives. Mary took ill in 2015 but she never stopped sharing her beautiful smile and warm heart. She was the epitome of a spiritual fighter and as a result, she witnessed a few miracles during her life. Mary did everything with excellence and style. Her presence will be missed but she has left a legacy that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. We love her so.

Mary’s parents, Derrick and Jessie Kelly; husband, Gus A Reese; and her three brothers, Derrick Kelly, Jr., John Henry Kelly, and David Kelly, preceded her in death.

Left to mourn Mary’s loss are her beautiful children, Kimberly Smith (Darrin), Jim Braggs, Jr.; stepchildren, Terry Reese, Rodney Reese, Steve Reese, and Sonya Reese; grandchildren, Cheirsten Braggs, Brianna Braggs, Nicholas Braggs, Daryn Smith, and Darius Smith; her loving sisters, Mamie Darden, Jessie Jones, and Annah Kelly, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.