Linda Jean Reese

Mrs. Linda Jean Reese passed from this life into the presence of her savior on Friday, August 16th, 2024 in Nacogdoches, Texas. Mrs. Reese was born in Carbondale, Illinois, to Edward Eugene Beasley and Juanita Jean Camden Beasley on November 16th, 1944.

Linda Jean was a free spirited and fiercely loving mother, wife, sister and daughter. Linda Jean loved people. She was also a doting and dedicated grandmother. She graduated from Lakeshore High School in Sinclair Shores, Michigan and continued her education at Eastern Michigan University where she met and married her husband of 38 years Thomas Robert Reese. Linda Jean dedicated her career to young people as an energetic, creative, and highly successful secondary school educator. The Reeses relocated from Michigan to Denver, Colorado soon after their marriage. In the early 1970’s the Reeses welcomed two daughters to their family, and Linda Jean put her career on hold to focus entirely on her two daughters during their formative years.

Mrs. Reese returned to the classroom and worked as a junior high school Home Economics teacher for 18 years at Evergreen Junior High School in Evergreen, Colorado. She impacted the lives of countless youngsters as both a classroom teacher and highly successful sponsor of a state and nationally recognized chapter of Future Homemakers of America. She enjoyed traveling with her students and instilling leadership qualities in young people. Linda Jean was a long time resident of Bailey, Colorado, where she and her husband raised their two daughters in the high country of the Rocky Mountains. Linda and Tom loved the beauty and majesty of the Rockies. They enjoyed camping, hiking, golfing, and caring for and riding their horses. Linda Jean was a passionate animal lover. Over her lifetime she was an excellent pet-mom to many beloved family pets. Linda Jean was a fantastic cook, and she and her husband loved to entertain, dance, and spend time playing golf and bridge with their close friends. She could light up a room with her vivacious and charismatic personality. The couple relocated to East Texas in order to be closer to their children and grandchildren in 1996.

Linda Jean’s daughters, three granddaughters and four great granddaughters always knew that they were deeply loved by her. She would sacrifice time, energy, and resources to be sure that her family knew that they were her highest priority and the absolute light and love of her life. She took great pride in sharing the little joyous moments and celebrating their accomplishments. There was never a sacrifice too large for her to make for her children and grandchildren.

Many people who knew Linda Jean in the Nacogdoches area also experienced a friend and colleague with boundless energy, creativity, compassion and enthusiasm for life. In the years following her husband’s passing, Linda Jean stayed active serving her community in the workforce and as a volunteer. Linda Jean worked for many years as a circuit trainer and nutrition coach at Curves. She also worked assisting Nacogdoches residents during tax season at H and R Block. She finished her time in the workforce out-hustling her college aged coworkers as the happiest barista at Starbucks. Linda volunteered at the Senior Center and loved participating in Nacogdoches New Comers and bowling league. Linda Jean had a deep passion for animals and lovingly cared for both her own precious cats and pet sat for many Nacogdoches residents when they needed someone to love and care for their animals like her own. Linda Jean loved to travel, celebrate the holidays with her family, and spend time outdoors working on her landscaping or simply taking in the natural beauty around her with a good cup of coffee. She was fiercely determined to get every ounce of joy from life, and shared that joy with everyone she met.

Mrs. Reese was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Robert Reese; her parents, Edward and Juanita Beasley; her mother and father-in-law, Thomas W. and Helen Reese; her brother, Ronald Lawrence Beasley; and her beloved grandmother Zella Deaton. She is survived by her daughter Kya Michelle Reese of Washington state; daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Johnny Fryman of Mount Enterprise Texas; grandaughters Nicole Caudill and husband Gregory of Mount Enterprise; Laura Gafford and husband Jacob of Mount Enterprise, Donelle Hargraves and husband James of Washington D.C.; great granddaughters Cassandra Caudill, Charlotte Gafford, Amelia Gafford, and Isabelle Hargraves; nieces Amanda Aguilar and husband Robby of Greeley, Colorado; Breanna McLaughlin of Kerrville, Texas; great niece Layla Aguilar; great nephew Keegan McLaughlin; and her aunt, Gloria Perry of Roseburg, Oregon.

We will celebrate the joyful, colorful, and remarkable life of our mother, Linda Jean Reese, on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, in the Sunset Chapel of Cason-Monk- Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. We will receive family and friends during a time visitation from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life service, officiated by Brother Pete Underwood, will immediately follow visitation at 2:00 p.m. Our mother left us with a legacy of love, humor, joy, tenacity, spunk, and service to others. If you’re so moved, please feel free wear your brightest wardrobe pieces. Mom filled her world with vivid colors and bold patterns, and she’d love for all of us to honor her memory in the same way.

Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.