Kathleen Frances (Grayson) Reese

Kathleen Reese, a pillar of the South Bend community, passed peacefully into eternity on the 5th of December, 2023, at the age of 73, surrounded by the love of her family in her lifelong hometown of South Bend, Indiana. Kathleen was born on April 1, 1950, the cherished daughter of the late Arthur and Ollie Mae (Weatherspoon) Grayson.

A wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. Kathleen's surviving husband, Roland Reese, Sr., will carry forward the memories of their united journey. She was the loving matriarch to her three children: Erin Shell of South Bend, Kahila (William Sr.) Thomas of Mishawaka, and Carmen (Ashley) Coleman of Indianapolis. Her Husband’s children, Stephen D. Reese of Cincinnati, and Roland Reese, Jr. of Detroit. Kathleen's joy was multiplied through her grandchildren, Ashlee Tanner, Kierra Thomas, Wisdom Thomas, Vanessa Mitchell, Wilson Thomas, Wyatt Thomas, William Thomas, Jr, and Warren (Kris) Thomas,  Tiler (Ashley) Reese, Taelor (Spencer) Davis, and Taloni Reese; and her great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Curry, Sidneyray Tanner, Susie Q Tanner, Malcolm Tanner, Jr., Tanner Tanner, Kennedy Tanner, Hayden Thomas, Wesley Thomas, Reis Davis, Riley Davis, and Summer Reese.

Kathleen served at Indiana Bell, Ameritech, and finally at One Communications when she retired in 2009. Her warm demeanor and genuine desire to help others shone through her entire career in telecommunications.

Kathleen took great pleasure in participating in her bowling league at Chippewa Bowl and was known for her benevolence, volunteering with AmeriCorps through the University of Notre Dame at Robinson Community Learning Center. Her love for reading was only eclipsed by her musical talent; as a classically trained pianist, Kathleen's music was a gift to her family and church, where she was the primary musician for Olivet A.M.E Church for many decades up until her musical retirement in 2017.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and celebrate Kathleen's life at the funeral services on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Olivet A.M.E. Church, 719 N. Notre Dame Ave., South Bend. The service, officiated by Reverend Eileen Thomas, will reflect on Kathleen's unwavering faith and her lifetime of gifts to those around her. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service. 

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.