Lillian (Day) Reese

Lillian Day Reese longtime resident of Double Branches Road passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at her home in Lincolnton, Georgia, just one day after celebrating her 94th birthday. Born on April 1, 1931, in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a picturesque hamlet nestled in a valley along the Kentucky River near the Virginia border. Lillian was a woman whose laughter and playful personality brought light into the lives of all who knew her. She was born into the humble beginnings of Appalachia in the middle of the Great Depression and learned early the value of hard work and dedication. At the tender age of ten, she moved to Cumberland, Kentucky, and soon found herself caring for her younger siblings while her parents were at work. This was a role she embraced with love and grace. She married William Floyd Reese, Jr., a Lincoln County native whose dreams had led him to the coal mines of Benham, Kentucky.  Together, they resided there until 1968 when he developed black lung disease. They then returned to his hometown of Lincolnton where Lillian would remain for the rest of her life. Lillian's vivaciousness never waned, even in her later years. She proved her adventurous spirit at age 74 by going rock climbing in Aspen, Colorado, showcasing her physical agility and zest for life. An avid sports fan, Lillian's presence was a staple at Lincoln County Red Devils games as a season ticket holder. She cheered on her team with fervor, attending most home and away games until recent years. Her love for sports also extended to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, and Georgia Bulldogs, attending numerous games and sharing her passion with family and friends. Lillian's industrious nature was evident from her early years working in a grocery store in Kentucky to eventually owning one herself. She also poured her energy into the family floor refinishing business, first helping her husband and later supporting her son, Jim. She delighted in the fact that her son Jim had finished all of the hardwood floors in the home of Jimmy Bedford, master distiller and descendant of Jack Daniels. From that point until Jimmy's death they close friends and attendees at all of his special occasions that he hosted at his home.

Her entrepreneurial spirit was matched only by her nurturing one, as she raised her beloved son, James Floyd "Jim" Reese, and delighted in the lives of her grandsons, James Carroll "Jimmy" Reese and Charles Spencer Reese, and great-grandchildren, Roslynn Nicole Reese and Carsen Spencer Reese. Her brother, Haydon Day of Lebanon, Indiana, and sister, Annette D. Lunsford of Purdue, Indiana, will hold dear the memory of Lillian's infectious humor and unwavering support.

Lillian's love for the earth was evident in her magnificent flower gardens and bountiful vegetable plots, a reflection of her green thumb and her joy in nurturing growth. Lillian's pastimes were as spirited as she was. She would often play Rook with her family throughout the night until the sun rose, filling the room with laughter and competition. Her passion for music was a constant in her life, from listening to the radio around the clock to her recent fondness for gospel tunes. She attended Martin's Crossroads Congregational Holiness Church when able.

Though her feet were planted in Georgia's red clay since age 37, her heart never left the rolling foothills of Eastern Kentucky. The melodies of "Country Roads" could easily be imagined echoing her love for the mountains of her youth. Lillian's principles were as steadfast as her humor. She believed in the integrity of paying debts promptly and expected the same from others.

Lillian Day Reese's life was a journey marked by laughter, love, and the beauty of the simple things. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her remarkable spirit.

A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6pm until 8pm at Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 12 pm at Martin's Crossroads Congregational Holiness Church Cemetery.

Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Lillian Day Reese.