Addie Virginia Reese Farley

Our beloved Virginia left this earth on July 16, 2017 peacefully in her sleep. We know her family greeted her in heaven. She had a life filled with love for her family and God that both sustained and gave her joy.

Virginia was the youngest daughter of David Elisha “Lish” Hayes and Ida Ophelia Caldwell of Chapel Hill, Tennessee about 50 miles south of Nashville. She was born September 10, 1923 on her family’s farm. Virginia’s beloved brother, Joe Vance Hayes, was a constant source of humor and love for her until his death in 2012. Before her father was remarried to her stepmother, Carolyn Miller, her mother’s sister Jenny Lee Caldwell Kincaid raised her for many years in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Being a young child raised during the hard times of The Great Depression, she remembered fondly the love and warmth her “Aunt Jenny” gave her during this time.

Although she left school at a young age, she persevered throughout life. She married her first husband and father of her children, Wilburn Petty Reese (now deceased), in 1941. Later she and Wilburn moved to the Tarrant area of Birmingham for work. She had many fond memories of her neighbors there. In 1957, with her husband working at Anderson Electric, she and her family made the move to Leeds. Even though she never thought of herself as a local, Leeds was her home for almost 60 years.

Virginia’s children and survivors are David Reese (Sandra) of Houston, Texas, Joe Mac Reese (Barbara) of Altha, FL, and Dennis Reese (Lisa) of Pell City. Her grandchildren are Shannon Reese (Heather) of Alameda, CA, Shawn Reese of Birmingham, Stephanie Reese of Las Vegas, John Reese (Wendy) of Dallas, TX, Brooke Reese Jenkins (Brad) of Birmingham, Melanie Reese of Nashville, TN and Justin Reese (Katie) of Trussville. One grandchild, Jeremy Reese, preceded her in death. Her great-grandchildren are Zoey Reese, Jaden Jenkins, Jacob Jenkins and Abie Lynn Jenkins of Birmingham, Reese Scott of Santa Cruz, CA and Katherine Reese of Alameda, CA.

She thought of Lydia Walker Boley Smith as the sister she never had. Lydia befriended Virginia shortly after she moved to Leeds. They were close until Lydia passed away in 2010. While her children were in school, Virginia worked in the cafeteria at Leeds High School. She often fondly recalled these times and her co-workers. Later, she went to work for the Leeds Watch Case and stayed there until her retirement.

A caring and thoughtful grandmother to her 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, “Granny Reese”, as she was known to her grandchildren would often tell them stories of her early life in Tennessee and how it was important to have God in their lives. She delighted in teaching her grandchildren about being good Christians. The center of her life was the church and its teachings - it gave her great satisfaction. In addition to the church, Virginia also she liked to frequent the Green Wave for a burger and fries or when her sweet tooth was calling, Spruiell’s Dairy Ice Cream in downtown Leeds was her answer for delicious ice cream treats. Last, but not least, she also loved to get her “hair done” at Viree’s Beauty Shop in Leeds.

In later life, Virginia married Floyd Isbell of Leeds until his death. After a few years she found true love again and was remarried to Claude Farley. He loved and adored her. For many years, she lived with Claude in Overton, AL. Claude was heavily involved with the Overton Church of God and Virginia became a devoted member. After his untimely death she moved back to Leeds, but remained an active and devoted church member well into her later years.

The family wishes to thank all of her long-time friends including Lyle Isabell, Betty Moore & Lydia Boley Smith, as well as her family and caregivers at Cook Springs, especially the hospice staff, for all the love and care they showed her during her final years.

Services will be held at Kilgroe Funeral Home (1750 Ashville Rd, Leeds) on Saturday afternoon, July 22nd starting at 2:00PM. Gravesite located at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, near door to Kilgroe.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Village at Cook Springs in honor of Virginia Farley.

Arrangements under the direction of Kilgroe Funeral Home, Leeds, AL.