Donnell Sylvan Dixon Reece

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray to God my soul to keep. If I should die before I awake, I pray to God my soul to take. God bless Mama, Danyelle, Darcyelle and the people at school.”

Donnell Sylvan Dixon Reece was born to Danilo and Sylvia Faye Bennett Reece on December 12, 1978, in Houston (Harris County), Texas. He was baptized at New Day Deliverance Holiness Church under the leadership of Apostle Richard R. Taylor at an early age and remained strong in his faith. He often prayed with an employee named Terry, who spent time teaching him.

Donnell attended the California School for Cerebral Palsy in Houston, Texas, from six (6) months old to three (3) years old. The school engaged parents in activities of physical therapy techniques for cerebral palsy children. At age four (4), he enrolled in North Forest Independent School District, which transported him to “The Center for Disabled Individuals” on West Dallas St. near the River Oaks community. The Center transported the four-year-old students to the Heights Center location. Advancing to the school age of five (5) years old, Donnell attended classroom activities at The Center’s main campus. He graduated at the age of 21, completing the timeframe for high school and college. After graduation, Donnell attended the Adult Activity Center, known as AAC. He spent his final days at the newest location on Harrisburg St. under the name, The Center for Pursuit. Donnell was in the loving care of the staff at the Center for forty (40) consecutive years.

Donnell was a good stewardess for our Lord Jesus Christ. He exhibited natural faith despite being in a wheelchair for forty-four years. Without his mother’s support, Donnell could not feed himself, bathe, walk or drink independently. However, Donnell knew how to be still and let God. He had a genuine love for people. When you talked, he listened, and the conversation was confidential.

On August 31, 2008 his mother, Sylvia Reece Anderson married Sanders Anderson, Jr. a retired professor of Texas Southern University, who stepped up as a wonderful and loving stepfather supplying all of Donnell’s needs in love.

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wonderful mother, Sylvia Faye Bennett Reece Anderson; his beloved twin sister, Danyelle Simone Reece; baby sister, Darcyelle Savonne Reece Nicholson, (Carl); stepsister, Imani Anderson James (Mark); stepbrother, Kwame Anderson (Sara); five (5) aunts, Yvonne Ester Smith of Saint Louis, Missouri, Aleshia Danese Bennett Ebow (Howard) of La Port, Texas and Tina Rena Bennett Morris (Alex) of Arlington, Texas, Molly Perkins and Mercedes Beatty (Robert) of Houston, Texas; four (4) nieces, Reece Collins, Isabella Anderson, Celine Nicholson, Colli Nicholson; three (3) nephews, Oliver Anderson, Carl Nicholson, III, and Cartier Nicholson.

He is preceded in death by his father, Danilo Reece; stepfather, Dr. Sanders Anderson, Jr.; grandfather, Mr. Walter Bennett, Jr.; grandmother, Mrs. Jimmie Ester Dixon Bennett; a loving aunt, Debra Ann Bennett; his dearest great grandparents, Willis Dixon, Sr. and Freemond Smith Dixon; grandfather, Mr. Jonathan Reece; grandmother, Mrs. Perfecta Almonte’ Reece; a loving aunt, Juanita Reece Broussard; two (2) uncles, Longene Reece and David Reece.

A paradise funeral home for Donnell will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Paradise Funeral Home, Inc, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088, followed by a paradise funeral home from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.