Joyce Laverne Kennedy Reese was born on August 4, 1933 in Waller, Texas. She passed away on September 24, 2023. She was the daughter of Esker and Hattie Bell Kennedy. She had three brothers Edgar Kennedy, Elva Kennedy, and Billy Kennedy, all proceeding her in death. She graduated from Mabank High School in 1951. She was married to Wilton Reese February 3,1951, and had two children, Melba Reese Whatley and Gene Reese. Joyce’s profession was the service industry. She owned and ran Reese Grocery in Seven Points, Texas for over ten years. She then ran and operated Mabank High School’s Snack Bar and after that she worked the Mabank Athletics Concession stands for over forty years. Over the course of her career, she touched countless lives within the Mabank community with her servant’s spirit. She dearly loved her family and lived boldly in her faith in her daily life. She attended many churches during her lifetime but her main focus in life was being a follower of Christ.
She is survived by her daughter, Melba and husband Tom Whatley of Granbury, Texas; her son, Gene Reese and wife Denise of Payne Springs, Texas. Her grandchildren are Brandi Whatley Harrill and husband Derek of Mabank, Texas; Amber Whatley Quisenberry and husband Baird of Dallas, Texas; Brooke Whatley Brown and husband Lucas of Houston Texas; and Justin Reese and wife Casey of Melrose, Florida. Her great-grandchildren include: Hannah, Abigale and Micah Harrill; Campbell and Cora Quisenberry; Lila and Kate Brown; and Hadley and Parker Reese. She also had many cousins, nieces and nephews, including a special niece and caregiver Phyllis Howell.
If you wish to donate any memorial gifts, Joyce’s charity of choice is St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
A visitation for Joyce will be held Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Eubank Cedar Creek, 601 South 3rd Street, Mabank, Texas 75147. A Funeral Service will occur Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Eubank Cedar Creek.
Joyce will be laid to rest in Eubank Cedar Creek Memorial Park, 16701 State Highway 198, Mabank, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eubankcedarcreek.com for the Reese family.
