Shirley grew up in the Normal Station community in Memphis, TN and was a 1962 graduate of Messick High School. She helped in the family business, Johns Bakery, in the Vollintine-Evergreen district of Memphis, in her youth.
As a working mother, she was a medical transcriptionist for St. Joseph Hospital and St. Francis (Park) Hospital. She then worked in private practice.
Some of her joys were bird watching and butterflies. She also loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and TN Titans football. Rounding out her joy came flowers, shopping, and fur babies, including Sammy, the cat.
Having become “Mom” to the “East Hill Cove Kids”, each child that met her, loved her and she them, but, her sons Dan and Steve were her priority. Her pride and unconditional love was completely on display for all to see. Grandchildren increased the capacity of her heart tenfold.
A lifetime Christian with love for the Lord was always evident in her daily life and that life reflected the love of Christ.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, James “Jim” Reese. Her parents, James “Eddie” and Virginia Johns.
She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Deason (Bill) and three nieces, Sharon Knox (Dave), Lauren Layden (Jeff), and Cynthia Peffley, her two sons, Dan Kohr (Heather) and Steve Kohr (Amie), both of Bartlett, TN. Six grandchildren, Lindsay Kohr, Allison Suzanne (Andrew), David Kohr, Brian Kohr, Tyler Kohr, Bailee Wilson (Gavin). In addition, five bonus grandchildren, Erica Villarreal (Moses), Shana Guarino (Clayton), Joshua Frizzell (Christina), Jeremy Frizzell, and Cody Frizzell.
Mrs. Shirley Ann Johns Reese will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Visitation begins at 1:00 pm at Memphis Funeral Home located at 3700 N Germantown Road in Bartlett, TN. Service will begin at 2:00 pm followed by a graveside service at Memphis Memory Gardens located at 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis, TN.
Shirley’s favorite charities include St. Jude or Bartlett Animal Shelter.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Reese family.
