Hilda Lillian Reese

Lillian Reese, of Tucker, GA was born at home in Gwinnett County on October 12, 1921. Her parents were Howard and Susie (Moon) Sexton. She graduated From Girls' High School in Atlanta, and married Elmo B. Chapman, an Atlanta native. They had two sons who survive her. Darrel Kenneth (and Carol Lowden) live in Woodstock, New Hampshire, and William Carrol (and wife Tan), in Starkville, Mississippi. After serving in the 8th Army Air Corp, on the bomber "Yo is My Ideal," her husband Elmo was killed in an airplane crash on Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1946. At that time, Lillian and Elmo were managing a movie theater in Stark, Florida. After the death of her husband, Lillian moved back to the Atlanta area to be closer to her family. As a single parent, she worked for the Lawson Center of the CDC for many years. In 1952, she married Larry Clark Reese of Atlanta, and they moved to DeKalb County. Mr. Reese died in 1992. Except for time off while her sons were in elementary school, Mrs. Reese worked as a civil servant for the Internal Revenue Service. She then worked with the CDC as a payroll operations manager, and retired in 1983. Lillian died at Budd Terrace, Sunday, October 10, 2010 of complications following a stroke. She was 88 years, 363 days old. She was surrounded by those she loved until the very end. Her life revolved around the Great Commandment—loving God and loving people. She had a gift for hospitality, and her smile won the hearts of many. Refugees from several countries called her "Grandmother," and several experienced their first American Thanksgiving at her home. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Jereme and Rachel Chapman of Tucker, GA; Elizabeth and Todd Smith of Brooklyn, NY; Tim and Christa Chapman of Columbus, MS; Andrew and Marianna Chapman of Jackson, MS; Emily and Roy Hubbard of Huntsville, AL; Julianna Chapman, of Chattanooga, TN; Christy and Cameron Nelson of Denver, CO; Brent and Beth Bradley of Senatobia, MS; Sumner Bradley of St. Johnsbury, VT, Peter and Cassandra Bradley, of Center Harbor, NH; and Sam and Debbie Bradley of Woodstock, NH. Seventeen great grandchildren also survive her. Two sisters, Betty Sue Moorhead of Tacoma, Washington, and Maxine (and Danny) Bankston of Lilburn, Georgia, survive her, as well as a number of loving nieces and nephews. Her parents and six other siblings predeceased her. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, 2729 Lawrenceville Highway. The Reverend Joel L. Tolbert will lead the services. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow for family and friends at the Christopher Hall at Rehoboth Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contribution, the family asks that contributions in her memory be made to the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, 2729 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033, or to the North Country Center for the Arts, PO Box 1060, Lincoln, NH 03251. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at A. S. Turner & Sons.




Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033