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Obituary

Obituary for Vernice Reese

Vernice Reese was the second of eight children born on October 8,1924 to Louis and Elsie Chatman, in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma.
In 1934 the family moved to Clearview, Ok where she went to school. That's where she met her first love Leonard Morris and they had a son Donald Wesley Morris. In 1942 she moved to Wasco, California where she married Alvin Reese from this union they had three children; Helen, Claudia and Ronald.
Vernice joined Macedonia Church of God in Christ where she… was a member for nearly 50 years. She served as the churches Official Church Mother for 12 years. She was a faithful member until her health began to decline but whenever she was able, she would find her way to church by calling on friends or riding her scooter. Her love for Christ and her unwavering faith showed in her daily life and how she loved and treated everyone she met. Vernice opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay. She never judged, her love was unconditional.
Vernice worked in the nursing industry for more than 40 years. She worked at the convalescent home in Shafter, California. She also worked as an in-home caregiver for many of our elderly here in Wasco, Shafter and Bakersfield. She was well loved by all her patients.
Vernice was a loving wife and a remarkable mother and grandmother. She was known to some as "Mrs. Reese or Aunt Bun" but she was best known as "Granny or Granny Reese". She loved to fish and would often say, "work is for people who don't know how to fish!" She also loved to spend time crocheting, knitting and sewing and was a member of the "Happy Hookers" group at the Wasco Veterans Hall. Vernice especially loved to buy 501 jeans for all of her boys. (If you would, take notice to The Pallbearers and male family members that are wearing them today in her honor.). Her favorite restaurant was Hodels and her favorite foods were fish, oxtails, crab legs and "bacon, bacon and more bacon."
Vernice was preceded death by her parents, six siblings; Willa Mae Douglas, Odell Louis Chatman, Earline Fern Walker, Louie Ardelle Chatman, Laura Dee "Honey" Chatman Farmer and her baby Brother Rev. Robert Earl Chatman; four children; Donald Wesley Morris, Helen Mae Murray, Claudia Vernice Reese and Ronald Dean Reese.
Vernice leaves to cherish her memory, her baby sister Helen Jean Jackson, Wichita, KS; two grandsons, Derrick Block, Wasco, CA, and E'shan Reese, Los Angeles, CA; three granddaughters; Tiffany Marshall (Robert), Lancaster, CA; Aujanae Reese, Bakersfield, CA and Aimee Reese, Los Angeles, CA; ten great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Vernice now has a new set of knees and a new pair of eyes. She is rejoicing in heaven with all her children and family and don't forget she's fishing too! Donations to help with the funeral expenses may be made to Peters Funeral Home, 1401 7th St., Wasco, CA 93280. Homegoing services were conducted by Peters Funeral Home on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11am for Vernice Reese, age 92, formerly of Wasco, who passed away January 23, 2017 in Lancaster. Pastor Harold Gridiron of Macedonia Church of God in Christ, Bakersfield officiated the services and interment followed at Wasco Memorial Park. Please send condolences to the family and sign Vernice’s guest book at www.GoldenValleyMemorialCare.com