Advocates For Children Remember Beloved Supporter

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- Working with or on behalf of children is a calling that some people feel deep inside and according to the good folks at Bartow County-based Advocates for Children, there was no doubt that Deborah Reese was one of those people.

Described as fierce and feisty in her determination, she worked tirelessly to advocate for children in foster care to provide them permanent homes and a sense of belonging. Reese, who passed away June 25, left behind a legacy of advocacy for children, heartbroken friends and family and a tradition of hard work that will be remembered in this community.

Known around the community as Reese, she spent 10 years with the Division of Family and Children Services before joining Advocates for Children in 2003 as an advocacy coordinator in the Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

“Reese will always live on through the lives of the children who are now in loving, caring homes with parents who will make sure they have a chance to succeed in their lives," said Tina Brush, one of many volunteers who met Reese through the CASA program. "There are so many people who are better off because of Reese.”

While her title was advocacy coordinator, her passion for helping children was more than just a job. She was honest and straightforward with both the child and the caregiver, making sure they had a realistic picture of the facts and expectations for the court process.

“Reese could be like a dog with a bone,” said Advocates for Children’s CASA Director Ava Lipscomb. “She was a tiny person, but she was a very strong-minded person with a huge heart for children.”

According to her obituary, Reese, 68, was born in Akron, Ohio. She and husband, Richard, were married in 1983 and they both were advocates for the area's most vulnerable children.

"She loved working and found great pride in helping improve countless children's lives at home," her obituary states.

She also enjoyed spending time outdoors, hiking and cross-country skiing. Reese is survived her mother, MaryJane Hall; husband, Richard Reese; sons, Danny (Heather) Reese and Tony (Jennifer) Reese; brother, Derryl (Susan) Hall; grandchildren, Joey (Jamie) Reese, Keith (Nadine) Reese, Mike (Stacy) Reese, Richard (Christine) Reese, Harper Reese, May Reese, Bodine Reese, Emmitt Reese, Emily Reese, Eric Reese, Brandon Reese; great-grandchildren Destiny Reese, Mark Reese, Conner Reese, Mikey Reese, Gabriel Reese, Levi Reese and Ava Reese; nephews, Douglas Hall and Derryl (Pam) Hall Jr.; and grand-nieces Lauren Hall, Emma Hall and Erin Hall.

A funeral service was held June 30 and interment took place at the Georgia National Cemetery.

Retired Bartow County Juvenile Court Judge Velma Tilley said it was always a comfort knowing that Reese was working for children in the court system.

“Reese took the best interest of the children seriously,” Tilley said. “She was not concerned about hurting anyone's feelings when she was trying to get something done on behalf of a child. She was a great and respectful colleague of the court. She always made her concerns known and sought what was best for the child.”

Image via Woodstock Funeral Home