Charlene Bevis Reese

Charlene Bevis Reese died peacefully and entered heaven on Saturday, March 1, 2025. She lived a very full and beautiful life as a mother, an educator, and a lifelong volunteer. She loved to read, travel, spend time with her family and friends, theatre, music, nature and the beach.
She was born in Palmetto, Florida, and moved to Tallahassee as a teenager, graduating from Leon High School in 1957. Charlene earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of West Florida, a Master of Education, Educational Leadership/Administration and Supervision, as well as a Master of Vocational Education. She additionally earned her Specialist in Education from Florida State University. Charlene was Garnet Key with Florida State, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Kappa.
Charlene's commitment to education and creating opportunities for others to better themselves was reflected in every aspect of her life. She began her career in education in Escambia County and ultimately retired in Leon County having served as an administrator at all levels and in vocational education. In her retirement, she continued to offer compassion to others through her part time employment with Bevis Funeral Home.
Charlene was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tallahassee and enjoyed fellowship with her Sunday School Class there. Prior to that she was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, and an Associate Member of Metcalf United Methodist Church in Metcalf, Georgia.
In addition to her passion for education, she was an avid volunteer and lifelong learner. Charlene served as a leader in many organizations throughout her life including
Leadership Pensacola; Leadership Tallahassee
Tallahassee Junior Woman's Club
Pensacola Junior Woman's Club
Woman's Club of Pensacola
90 & 9 Boys' Ranch Board of Directors
President, Escambia Vocational Association
Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, Tallahassee
GFWC Woman's Club of Tallahassee
GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs
Leon High School Alumni Association
FSU Alumni Emeritus & Lifetime Member of the FSU Alumni Association
FSU President's House Docent
Florida Committee of Nation Museum of Women in the Arts
Florida Museum of Women Artists Deland, Florida
Garden Club of Tallahassee, Hibiscus Circle
Charlene's extensive travel took her all over the world in addition to many adventures throughout the United States.
Charlene is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 28 years, Charles Reese, her parents, Charlie and Jo Bevis, her sister, Claira Fulton, and brother, Bo Bevis.
She is survived by her four children Mindy Moody Butzirus (Greg), LeeAnne Moody, Jo McArthur, and Gerald McArthur, Jr., her grandchildren Sara Yarling and Ben Yarling (Kara), Alexa Hansard and Sage Hansard, Mac Dills (Ashley) and Lucy Bethune (Sam), her one great-granddaughter, Mary Dellon Bethune, and two brothers, Bert Bevis and Larry Bevis (Donna).
The family will receive friends from 5:00PM until 7:00PM on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road. The funeral service will be at 11:00AM on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Bevis Funeral Home with interment following at Roselawn Cemetery.
Donations may be made in her honor to Immanuel Baptist Church, Emerald Coast Hospice, or Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the family with arrangements.