Obituary of Virginia K. Reese
Virginia Katherine Welch was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on September 11, 1921. The daughter of Ewing Willis and Bertha Della (Smith) Welch, she was raised in a home with eleven other siblings. Virginia was educated through the eighth grade in Kentucky, although she later would take a typewriter course.
She married, James E. Reese, on December 8, 1940. The couple would move to Michigan in 1942. They soon found their church home at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, where she was active in the women’s group. She later would help to organize Dundee Baptist Church. Virginia enjoyed reading anything she could get her hands on, but especially Christian magazines. She also prided herself on staying up to date on current events. James Reese would die August 27th 1968. Later in 1969 Virginia was joined in marriage to James G. Pierce.
For many years, Virginia, would work outside the home employed at Fruehauf Manufacturing in Milan and Consolidated Paper. She was also employed at La-Z-Boy Chair playing on the company softball team as a pitcher. Her favorite job, however, was that of a cab driver being employed by Ray Marshal at City Cab Co. She retired in 1986.
Virginia enjoyed staying active participating in Senior Bowling at Monroe Sports Center until 2011 and was selected most improved. She had also attended Luna Pier Full Gospel, Word of Life Praise Center and Fisherman’s Lighthouse where son Steve pastored. She drove well into her 90’s and was a member of the Monroe Senior Center.
Virginia, age 99, of Monroe passed away on Saturday; April 10, 2021. Her passing was preceded by her parents and both of her husbands; a stillborn son: Ewing Samuel Reese; granddaughter-in-law: Chasity Reese; and eleven siblings: Lucy Thomas, Mae “May” Richards, Adrian “Abe” Welch, Ewing Welch, Fred Welch, Eugene Welch, Laureen Welch , Irene Welch, Molly Welch, Bertie D. Welch and Imogene Minton.
To cherish her memory she leaves two children: Stephen (Kathryn Sarah) Reese and Lynna Bea Reese; three grandchildren: Stephen J. Reese (Nicole Cupp), Erica A. Reese (Josh U’Ran), Joshua J. (Catie) Reese, and Walter Cooley, Dana Cooley, Michael Cooley, and Angie Reese whom knew her as Granny; ten great grandchildren: Hunter, Aiden, Kason, Hailey, Brendon, Dominic, McKenzie, Kailie, Ryder, and Kennedy; and numerous nieces and nephews
Friends may gather from 3:00pm- 8:00pm on Thursday; April 15, and are encouraged to wear their favorite Detroit Tigers garb, and from 10:00am until 11:00am on Friday; April 16, 2021 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. A Worship Service Celebrating Her Life will take place at 11:00am also at Merkle’s with Pastor Harold Raines officiating. Procession to Roselawn will follow.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.
