Patricia M Reese

Patricia Maria Nelson Reese

Patricia Reese, after courageously battling cancer, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026 at the home of her daughter, Cindy Shearouse Erickson, on Hilton Head Island, SC, surrounded by her children.

Patricia was born August 3, 1945, in Savannah, Georgia, to William G. and Margaret Donlevy Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Edgar Reese; her older sister, Margaret Erline (Marline) Nelson Taylor; a nephew, Frank Taylor; and a niece, Dorothy Taylor Edge.

Patricia attended Savannah High School and worked for many years at Belk’s Department Store. She loved the North Carolina Smoky Mountains, where her father grew up. She moved to Andrews, NC in 2010 and resided there until her illness. She loved her four children, relished motherhood and enjoyed supporting her children at their sporting and cheerleading events as well as other activities.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Shearouse Erickson and her husband, Anthony; her son, William Eugene Shearouse and his wife, Amy; twin daughters, Cara Jean Shearouse Sanders and her partner, Joey Carter, and Carla Jean Shearouse; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Adam, and Austin Jeffers, Mikell Sanders, Andrew, Josie, and Bodie Shearouse; and five great-grandchildren, Remy Jeffers, Alexis, Lacey, Paisley, and Callie (Shearouse).

She is also survived by her sister, Wendy Nelson Bolton and her husband, Mark; nephews Timothy Taylor and Nicholas Bolton; along with numerous cousins, including a special cousin, Dr. Marcia D. Perry.

Patricia was the first woman to become a member of the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, paving the way for other women volunteers. She believed that since women were often home during the day, they could be instrumental in providing support when men were unavailable due to their work schedules.

She was an animal lover and had two cats, Henry and Rebecca, whom she loved dearly at the time of her death.