12/14/2025
June 17, 1932 -December 9, 2025
Betty May Harbin Reese, 93, of Louisville transitioned on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at University Hospital.
Visitation 11:00am - 12:30pm Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road. Reflections to follow from 12:30pm - 1:00pm.
Betty May Harbin Reese was born June 17, 1932, to proud parents Pemmon and Lillian Prather Harbin. She was one of five children (two girls and three boys), with Betty being the third child born to this union. She was raised in what was then called "Parkland" area on Grand Avenue.
At a young age, Betty was baptized on January 18, 1942 at her family church, First Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of Rev. R. J. Miller.
Betty was educated in the Louisville Public School System and graduated from Central High School. She later pursued further education in the Nursing field and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her employment history began at the old General Hospital (now University of Louisville Hospital). Her long span of employment at the University of Louisville Hospital continued until her retirement at 62 years old. Those were very good years spent in her career of Nursing, which was her passion.
Betty's husband, Henry Reese, Sr., was the love of her life. They were married and raised three children, Majorie, Sandra, and Henry, Jr. Unfortunately, her husband was deceased many years before her "Homegoing".
As the saying goes, "No green grass was growing under Betty's feet." After retirement, she began extensive traveling with family and friends. If someone said "go", Betty's bags were packed, and they were sitting by the front door. She continued being active in her church and enjoyed outings with the Seasoned Senior Citizens. She was involved in the church's activities in many areas - she sang in the Senior Choir, was President of the Seasoned Senior Citizens group, worked in the church Culinary Ministry, was a member of the Kings Daughters Sunday School Class, was the overseer of the Feast of Love (a community outreach for the church), and participated in many more activities in the church. She continued being an active church member, and a supporter of activities, until her health began to decline. But not once, did anyone hear Betty complain. Even when she was not feeling her best on any given day, and was asked how did she feel, her continuous response (in a soft voice) would be "I shall not complain", and she definitely did not.
Betty's love for her siblings was the most profound expression of love that there was. Her siblings, Charles, Doris, Roscoe and Curtis (later called the "Clampetts") were a loving close knit family. They were supportive of each other, and if one hurt, they all could feel the hurt. Everyone witnessed the love between them. Now, to explain the "Clampetts". They were given this name because whenever they traveled together (and that was very often), they packed huge lunches, had many sacks of snacks, beverages galore, and they all crammed into one van together, merrily going down the road to their planned destination (just like the old sitcom "The Clampetts). So, that's how they got the name.
With heavy hearts and overwhelming sadness, Betty May Harbin Reese, transitioned to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her daughters, Majorie Reese Davis and Sandra Lynne Mason; and one son, Henry Lee Reese, Jr. (Francine); grandchildren, Michael Mason, Jr., Kamaria Davis, Deon Reese, Jumaane Davis, Rahsaan Davis, Henry Reese, III (Shateasha), Chadwick Mason, and Cherice Bonmon (Chris); twenty two great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and an abundance of friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Pemmon and Lillian Harbin; husband, Henry Reese, Sr.; sister, Doris Harbin Shumake; brothers, Curtis Harbin, Sr., Charles Harbin, Sr., and Roscoe Harbin, Sr.
Momma, Aunt Betty, Granny, Auntie - You will be dearly missed!
You were loved, are loved, and forever will be loved!
Your Family
