Virginia Reese, daughter of Harold and Ines (Emery) Welton, was born Feb. 2, 1931, at Buckhart, Mo. She departed this life at the age of 79 on Wednesday Sept. 22, 2010 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo., surrounded by her four loving children.
Virginia attended schools in Missouri and California, graduating from the eighth grade in Yolo County, Calif. Virginia encouraged hard work and education to her six children and many grandchildren.
Virginia married Marlin Reese on Feb. 14, 1948 and they began their 58 years of love and devotion to each other. Virginia and Marlin raised six children on their farm near Topaz, Mo. Virginia was a constant companion and helpmate to her husband and a wonderful mother to her children. She was a member of the Church of Christ and loving follower of the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Virginia was a determined, straightforward person who taught her children respect for themselves and for others and to never say “I can’t.” She believed in self-reliance and strength of character. She was a master quilter and gardener who canned hundreds of quarts of vegetables each summer for her family. Virginia enjoyed farming the land she and Marlin loved.
Virginia is survived by her children, Marlin Kieth Reese, Ronald Max Reese and wife Eloise, Dwight Reese and wife Valerie, Susan Annette Mason and husband Tom; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by six brothers and sisters; Kenneth, Floyd and Jerry Welton, Lois Rodgers, Carol Clinton, Marilyn Byerly and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia will be welcomed in Heaven by her husband Marlin, two children, Danny Lee and Teddy Lane, and her parents, Ines and Harold Welton.
Services were held at Elliott-Gentry-Carder funeral home in Cabool on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. with Evangelist Ron Alexander officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons Brian, Jamie, Michael, Douglas, Chris, Kyle, Jacob, Jared and Joshua Reese. Virginia was laid to rest beside her devoted husband, Marlin, at Penner Cemetery in Douglas County.
