Helen Reese

Helen B. Holmes Reese, 94, of Pensacola, FL passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Helen died at the age of 94 having lived a long and wonderful life. She was born in Brighton, AL to Sheppard and Mary S. Bishop, being one of four children. She was educated in the Public School System of Jefferson County, AL. Following graduation in 1947, she attended business college for two years in Birmingham. After that she worked for the government in various branches until 1962 when she retired. In 1949, she married the late Dr. Thomas G. Holmes, and they lived in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and St. Louis, MO, while he was completing his medical education. In 1962, they moved with their three daughters to Pensacola, FL where he practiced for 23 years. It was in Pensacola where their only son was born. During those years she was President of the then Escambia County Medical Auxiliary and District Vice President of the Florida Medical Society Auxiliary. It was as president, she and several other members lobbied for the passage of a child safety seat bill and convinced the three Pensacola Hospitals that they initiate a program in which every baby born in their hospitals would go home in a safety seat. This was a program, very dear to her heart, and if one life of one baby was saved because of it, it was more than worth the effort. The First Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, FL has been her church home since 1962. Having been born and raised in the Methodist Church she quickly embraced the Presbyterian Church and made it hers. She was one of the first female elders elected to the Session, a position she took very seriously. At the same time, she was active in the Women of the Church and was awarded an honorary life membership in 1986. She has served in almost every position of what is now the Presbyterian Women. Her love of cooking and entertaining has kept her busy over the years and she always remarked that God would not take her until he needed a new cook in Heaven. After Tom's death in 1987 in Florence, AL, Helen moved back to Pensacola and met and fell in love with Dr. Albert L. Reese, Jr., who came to First Presbyterian as an Interim Minister. They married in 1991 and have enjoyed a wonderful life serving churches in Pensacola; Mobile, AL; Jackson, MS; Montgomery, AL, and DeFuniak Springs, FL. Many, many wonderful friendships have been formed during those years of service. She is preceded in death by Dr. Thomas G. Holmes; her parents; a sister and a brother. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Albert L. Reese, Jr.; and four children, Carolyn Moorman (John), Laura Rutledge (Jeff), Linda Heidenreich (Jay), and Thomas G. Holmes, III (Christine); stepchildren, Michael A. Reese (Amy), Mary Louise Shell (Robert), Susan Godwin Moseley (Brown), and James Duey Reese (Yannich Chevalier); 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; as well as her brother, Alex Bishop (Joan). All the above she loved with all her heart and devoted her life to making them happy. A memorial service will be held 10:30am Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Robert Quiring officiating. A private family committal will be held at Bayview Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Ministries where Helen volunteered for several years, First Presbyterian Church Music Fund, or Kid’s House. Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola, Florida is entrusted with the arrangements.