Jesse Neal Reece

Jesse Neal Reece, 77, of Canton, died September 3, 2012. He was born February 24, 1935, son of the late Harold Columbus Reece and Alma Cloud Reece. He was in the 1952 graduating class of Canton High School and later completed the Georgia Banking School of the Georgia Bankers Association and the University of Georgia. He also completed the Georgia Bankers Association Commercial Lending School of the University of Georgia, and was a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University 1987. During this time, he was employed as a Banking Officer and Vice President of Etowah Bank in Canton for 26 years, during which time it merged with Regions Bank. Shortly afterward, he retired from Regions Bank and was employed as Vice President and Branch Manager of Crescent Bank. In 2006, he retired from Crescent Bank and devoted much of his retirement years farming on his Ellijay, Georgia property and visiting his summer cottage in Camden, Maine, also travelling with his wife in the U.S., Europe, and South Pacific. He was a 44-year member of Arbor Hill Baptist Church, where he actively participated in their fund raising for church expansion. Neal was active for many years in the Canton Jaycees, the Cherokee County Game and Fish Club, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and was President and Lifetime Member of the Canton Optimist Club. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Jo An Grizzle Reece; two sons, Anthony Neal Reece and partner Philip Sanchez and David Alan Reece and wife Karen; his four grandchildren, Jennifer Reece, Heather New, Heath New, and Joaquin Cantu; and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Charles K. Reece and Sue; sisters, Elizabeth McClure and Homer; Shelby Gable and Jim; and Linda Patterson and Kenneth. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Leon Reece, James E. Reece, and Billy R. Reece. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 6 from 4:00-9:00 PM and Friday, September 7 from 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM at Darby Funeral Home, Main St., Canton, GA. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM at Arbor Hill Baptist Church, 696 Arbor Hill Rd., Canton 30115, with remains in state at 3 PM. Rev. Charles Davis, Rev. Bobby Padgett, and Rev. Vernie Worley officiating. Burial will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Cancer Wellness, Piedmont Healthcare Philanthropy Office, P.O. Box 105452, Atlanta, GA 30348-5452.

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Jesse Neal Reece

September 5, 2012