Mildred Nathlee Reese

Mildred Nathlee (Holloway) Reese, 96, was born May 14, 1928, in Escatawpa, Alabama to Edward and Lottie (Woods) Holloway. She quietly entered eternal peace on February 26, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mildred married William L. Reese December 29, 1947. They moved to Cleveland where they created their family. To this union, they bore and raised three sons, William LeBaron, Sherman, and Danny. In retirement, she and William returned to their Citronelle, Alabama ancestral home re-uniting with their life-long family and friends. In her final years, she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to live in the loving care of her son, Danny Reese, Sr.

Mildred was a lifelong nurturer and caretaker for her family and relatives. She was known for her homemaking and culinary skills, especially her delicious cakes. Mildred was a seamstress; she created many articles of family clothing, which we treasure today. She was self-trained in personal finances, medicinal herbs and remedies for her family’s well-being.

When Mildred’s grandchildren were asked to describe their grandmother, the words poured out... Grandma was calming, loving, resilient, and easy to adapt. She was warm, charismatic, and always thinking of others.

Granddaughter Lauren Reese offers these words in tribute “I admired Grandma for many things: her care and compassion – which she so lovingly displayed through her talent for cooking, how free she appeared zooming around the house in her bare feet, and her laugh that stole the attention of and contagiously touched those in her presence. Grandma was a light that shined even when her days were dark and a soul that will live on, in me, forever.”

She leaves to cherish in their hearts her brother, Ellis Holloway; and sister in law, Hazel Holloway; her son, Danny Reese, Sr.; daughters-in-law, Beth Peter, Monica Reese and Sheryl Kipp; grandchildren, Angela Reese (Chuck) Mann , Jennifer Reese (Victor) Ziegler, Dawn Reese, Danny (Anntonette Koci) Reese II , and Lauren Reese; great-grandchildren, Monet Butler, Taelor Reese, Brooke Reese, and Asiya Booth; great-great grandchildren, Jada Ross and Jordan Ross; and a host of dear nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, William; sons, William LeBaron and Sherman; her parents, Edward and Lottie (Woods) Holloway; sisters, Burnice, Erva, Edra, Devonia, Blanche, Myrtle, Earnestine, Dorothy, and Lettie Caroline; and brothers, Roscoe and Warren.

The memorial celebrating Mildred’s life with her family and friends will be held in Cleveland, Ohio and Mobile, Alabama with dates to be determined. Stay tuned.