Eva Lee Jett Reese

Eva Lee Jett Reese Eva Lee Jett was born in the Pruitt Chapel Area near Hornbeck, Sabine Parish, Louisiana, on March 25, 1918, to Melvin Napolean Jett and Sarah Alice West Jett. Eva Lee attended school in Hornbeck and graduated from Hornbeck High School in 1936. Eva Lee was the youngest of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Jett, six sisters who were all married: Arie Leach, Ethel Bush, Verna Kelly, Bertie McInnis, Mary Hays, and Elvie McGraw; and two brothers, Woodrow Jett and Charles West Jett. Eva Lee graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Houston, Texas, in 1939 and she worked as a surgical nurse until she entered the United States Air Force as a nurse on July 1, 1941. Her principal duty was at Ellington Air Force Base near Houston. She was awarded the American Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal and was discharged on February 1, 1946. Eva Lee entered the program in Nursing Education at the University of Texas at Austin in the summer of 1946 and was graduated in June 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education. During her time at the university, she met Lymon C. Reese while they both were attending the Baptist Student Union of the University Baptist Church. They were married on May 28, 1948, while both were students. Following her graduation, Eva Lee taught for a time at the Seton Hospital School of Nursing. Eva Lee and Lymon had three children, Sally Elizabeth Reese, John Blake Reese, and Nancy Gay Reese. The family has been residents of Austin, Texas since 1955. Throughout her life, Eva Lee was an avid amateur painter. She was generous with gifts of her paintings and they hang in the homes of friends and family around the world. She maintained many friends in foreign countries due partly to her work with the enrichment program for wives of international students. She traveled widely with her husband. She was an active member of Highland Park Baptist Church and held many offices in the church organization and participated in many charitable activities. Mrs. Reese is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lymon C. Reese and three children, Sally Elizabeth Reese Melant of Georgetown, Texas, John Blake Reese of Cedar Creek, Texas, and Nancy Gay Reese of Austin, Texas. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The family extends thanks to Hospice Austin and many faithful caregivers, Farah Barrick, Janet Butler, Percy Jean Elliott, Eva Hamburger, Audra McNeeley, Michelle Mojica, Valarie Sumler, and Thelma Williams, who helped Mrs. Reese during her illness. Special thanks are given to Dr. Leonor Frierson-Stroud who made trips to the home and was exceptional in her concern for Mrs. Reese over many years. The Elsie Foscue Sunday School Class was constant in their prayers of support and in sending notes of helpfulness. Instead of flowers, the family is suggesting that a contribution may be made in honor of Eva Lee Reese to Highland Park Baptist Church or to the Engineering Foundation, The University of Texas at Austin. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 24th at Highland Park Baptist Church. Interment to follow at Austin Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Steve Matthews Sunday School Class, Highland Park Baptist Church. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811 You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com