Lucy Mae Reese was the eldest of the
13 children born to John and Blanche Reese.
She was born on November 30, 1906 at the
Reese home in Kenbridge, Virginia. In 1925, she moved with her family
to Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she was a member of St. Paul's Baptist
Church.
Harry Nelson Reese
John Herman Reese was born in Kenbridge on May 16, 1913, the second
of the five Reese sons.
While
he
began his early education in Kenbridge, he subsequently furthered his
elementary and high school years in the Bloomfield public schools,
where he was noted as being an outstanding athlete. He was baptized at
Union Baptist Church of Bloomfield, and later joined the St. Paul Baptist
Church of Montclair, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Payton.
Herman began a romance with Mabel Brodie in 1931. Mabel was a North Carolina native who, at the time she met Herman, resided in Belleville, N.J. The couple married on November 28, 1940. Herman and Mabel were completely devoted to each other, and their marriage lasted for 38 happy years. It has been said that their married life could be summed up in 15 words: "Herman lived for Mable, Mable lived for Herman; and they both lived for "The Master." They had no children.
After their wedding, they purchased their
home at 90 Willowdale Avenue in Montclair, in which they both remained
throughout their lifetimes. Herman had an ardent love for
horticulture. Their home was known as a "show place"
for the beautiful gardens and landscaping which were lovingly tended with
Herman's expert hands.
Herman served with the Montclair Deputy Police for over 20 years. The American National Bank and Trust Company of Montclair appointed him as a staff member in 1964. Herman was popular among his co-workers, and upon his death, the chairman of the bank presented a letter to the family which read in part: "Over the many years that Herman worked for the American National Bank, he did a first rate job in his quiet, steady, and efficient manner. Few were as dependable, and none a better ambassador of good will."
His health began to fail on December 10, 1976. He departed this life on Wednesday, April 26, 1978 at his home and with his wife - both of which he loved and cherished so highly.
Irvin Thomas Reese was born on June 15, 1925 in Montclair. He was the youngest son and 12th of the 13 Reese children. He was baptized at the St. Paul Baptist Church of Montclair, and subsequently joined Union Baptist Church of Bloomfield, where he continued to worship whenever his health permitted.
He grew up in Bloomfield,
attending its public school system. He served in the United States
Army from 1945 to 1946, receiving a Victory Medal for his participation in
the Pacific campaign.
On October 10, 1949, Irvin married Genevieve Mayo, daughter of Robert and Catherine Mayo of Montclair. Irvin and Genevieve eventually made their home at 220 Grove Street in Montclair. They had no children. Genevieve passed away suddenly on April 22, 1980.
Irvin was employed in various occupations throughout his lifetime. After his retirement from the New Jersey Meadowlands Sports Complex in 1994, he became a school crossing guard in Montclair. He could be found at his post on the corner of Valley Road and Watchung Avenue until his health began to fail.
A quiet, gentle man, Irvin was an avid fan of the New York Mets and boxing. He married the former Faydell Clayton in .
On Tuesday, April 6, 2004, Irvin passed away after a long illness at the Veteran's Hospital in East Orange, N.J.