Joseph Willie Reese

Published 12:15 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2021

By Holley Cochran

Graveside services were held Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at Wheeler Cemetery in Bassfield,  for Mr. Joseph Willie “Joe Boy” Reese, 76, who died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at his residence. Rev. Henry Kelly officiated with Johnson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Jospeh Willie Reese was born to the late Willie (Bill) Reese and Rosanna Reese.  He was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, church treasurer and Sunday School director until his death.

Mr. Reese attended and graduated from Carver High School. He attended Alcorn State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He worked at Georgia Pacific Corporation for many years and retired as a Supervisor. He established the Joseph W. Reese Scholarship Fund in Jan. 2013, to reward and assist students who are seeking degrees in higher education at Historical Black Colleges and Universities.  He received a host of awards: ASU Faithful Service award in 1989, ASU Alumni Outstanding Award in 1991, Distinguished Alumni of the Year (NAFEO) in 1992, and National Baptist Publishing Board Christian Service Diploma in 1988. He was inducted into the Alcorn State University Hall of Honor in 1993. He served as president of the JDC Alcorn Alumni Chapter in 1980-1997. He is a member of the Natchez Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has a life membership in the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association and the NAACP.

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He was preceded in death by five siblings Percy Lee Reese, Ollie Mae Keys, Jerlydean Drummond, Williene Reese and Ira Reese.

He is survived by two brothers, Jimmy Lee Reese of New Orleans, Louisiana and Milton Reese of Bassfield; one sister, Verta Bell Reese of Bassfield; Dr. Kimberly Jackson of Phoenix City, Alabama; friends, Audrey Beck, Gentry Beck, Shi Baby Beck, Eric Thompson and Dr. Rukeyser Thompson, Amelia Thompson and Eric Thompson Jr. and many other relatives and friends.

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Betty Robbins Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Robbins were conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Society Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Young officiating. Interment followed in the Society Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Robbins, age 75, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, at the Forrest General Hospital. Saulters Moore Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. The Robbins family received friends one hour before the funeral service, beginning at noon, Tuesday, at Society Hill Baptist Church. Pallbearers included Kelley LeNormand, Cymantha Shellenberger, Mason Robbins, Jenna Robbins, Frank Vice and Frank Vice Jr. Betty Robbins was born on June 6, 1949, in Magee, Mississippi to Walter R. and Margaret Jones Bishop. Mrs. Robbins was a long-time resident of Carson. She and her husband would go on to raise a happy family of six children that would multiply over the years with the addition of in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Robbins loved the country life and will be remembered for not only growing a yard full of beautiful flowers, but also a vegetable garden of which she fed her family. An animal lover, she also had dogs, chickens and hogs over the years. Mrs. Robbins was a member of Society Hill Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter R. and Margaret Bishop, her husband, Kenneth Terrell Robbins Sr; her daughter, Pamela Robbins; sisters, Patsy Holden, Margaret  Coble, Linda Hester and her brother, Richard Bishop. Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughter, Billie Jo Williamson of Prentiss; sons, Kenny Robbins Jr. (Kathy) of Carson, Mikell Robbins (Kelley) of Palestine, Texas, John Robbins (Nicole) of Sumrall, Daniel Robbins, (Tanya) of Ft. Worth, Texas; brother, Ray Bishop (Nancy) of Magee and her sister, Myrtis Craig (Ed) of Rossville, Georgia. Mrs. Robbins also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Online condolences and guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com

Evelyn Davis Ranager

John E. Donaldson

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