Mrs. Mary Ruth Allen Reese departed this earthly life on Tuesday, February 28, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief illness. She was born to the late Albert Ingram Allen and Lizzie Thomas Allen on November 25, 1936, in Lilesville, North Carolina.

Mary Ruth, affectionately known as Mae Ruth, moved to High Point, NC at a young age. She attended High Point City schools and graduated from William Penn High School in 1956. Mary pursued her education further at Guilford Technical Community College, earning a degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resource and Development, and Motivational Training. Mary worked at Kay Manufacturing Company for several years before moving on to work at the Guilford County Courts until her retirement. Even after retiring, Mary continued to work with The Boys and Girls Club.

She was united in marriage to Jesse Reese in 1958, and to that union, she was blessed with a son, Jeffrey Scott Reese.

Mary was a devoted member of several churches throughout her life, including the Old Bethlehem Church, New Bethel Baptist Church, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served as an Usher under the leadership of the late Reverend Emmanuel Rucker—Mary's love the Lord.

She enjoyed traveling, and often went on trips with various organizations she belonged to, such as The Daughter of Sphinx, Eastern Star, The Pointers Club, and Social Lite Club. Mary was also a community activist who organized The Rightfully Movement of the Black Panthers in the South Side Community, advocating for the less fortunate and working towards improving the Southside Neighborhood Community, Enforcer Freedom, Hillside Beautification Improvements, and New Home Ownership. In her free time, Mary enjoyed listening to music and watching TV shows like the Andy Griffith Show, western movies, Lifetime, soap operas, and the news. Mary particularly liked the southern cuisine, and her favorite dishes included turnip greens, potato salad, and neck bones served with homemade cornbread. Mary was also a fashion enthusiast and always dressed elegantly.

In additions to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Della Bea Melton and two brothers, Albert Allen, Jr., and Douglas McArthur Allen.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her husband of 66 years, Jesse Reese, of the home; one son, Jeffrey Scott (Inez) Reese of High Point, NC; granddaughters, Veneshia Hunter, Latisha Shelton, and Trichina (Jay) Modeste; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; three sisters, Frances Stokes of High Point, NC; Veretha Ingram and Etta Hayes of Greensboro, NC; one brother, Jerry W. Allen of High Point, NC; special nieces, Sandra Pendergrass, Franique Stokes, Traci Allen, Tara Baker and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Carolina Biblical Gardens. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC VIEWING.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.