Dillie Beydler Reese
Dillie Reese, 89, of Dayton, passed away peacefully at her beloved home in Clover Hill on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Born April 23, 1936, in Augusta County, Dillie was the daughter of George Washington Howdyshell and Ruby Clarence (Shull) Howdyshell-names that sound like they came straight out of a history book, and fittingly so, given the legacy Dillie herself would leave behind.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and all-around dynamo, Dillie lived life with boundless energy and a deep love for the great outdoors. She gardened like a pro, raised livestock with grit, and could out-fish most folks on a good day. She was also a skilled hunter-whether tracking deer or swapping stories about the one that got away, Dillie brought the same sharp eye and steady hand to the woods that she did to everything else. If it involved nature, tools, or a challenge, Dillie was in her element. She dabbled in taxidermy, upholstery, and sewing-not because she had to, but because she could. A true do-it-yourselfer with a "why not?" attitude.
She was also a die-hard New York Yankees fan and a passionate UVA basketball supporter. If there was a game on, Dillie was watching-cheering, coaching from the couch, and probably throwing in a few colorful opinions. And while she loved the thrill of sports, she also cherished life's quieter pleasures-like savoring the nuts her daughter brought her, which she generously shared with anyone lucky enough to be nearby.
After graduating from North River High School in 1953, Dillie spent a year at Rehoboth Nazarene College in Nashville before launching into a career that included a proud stint with the FBI (yes, that FBI), followed by years at a sewing factory in Bridgewater. She later became a full-time homemaker, raising her children with love, laughter, and just the right amount of mischief. Once the kids flew the coop, she returned to the workforce at Marshalls in Bridgewater, where she brought her signature warmth and work ethic.
A faithful member of Spring Creek Church of the Nazarene, Dillie married her sweetheart, the late David Reese, on August 5, 1961. Together, they built a life full of love, family, and stories that will be retold for generations.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Sheila and David Mitchell of Hertford, NC; Mark "Pork Chop" and Kristin Reese of Singers Glen; Darrell "Moose" and Joyce Reese of Briery Branch; and Eric "Tootsie" and Stephanie Reese of Staunton, VA. She also leaves behind her loving brothers, Larry and Jackie Howdyshell, and her cherished sister, Juanelle Simmons.
Her legacy lives on through ten adored grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren-each one a testament to her love, humor, and resilience.
A celebration of Dillie's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Spring Creek Church of the Nazarene, with Revs. Bill Curry and Mark Reese officiating. Interment will follow at Clover Hill Cemetery, where she'll rest in the land she loved so dearly.
The family will receive friends at Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater on Friday, August 29th from 6-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dillie's memory may be made to Spring Creek Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonfs.com.
