Sandy Faye Reese

Sandra Faye "Sandy" (Wilson) Reese, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on June 29, 2025, in Rogersville, Missouri, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 78 years old.
Sandra was born on May 10, 1947, in Springfield, Missouri, to Virgil Lewis and Bessie Lorraine (Hall) Wilson. She married Billy JoDean "Joe" Reese on December 11, 1965, in Ava, Missouri, and they enjoyed 34 years of marriage before his death.
She attended a one-room school in Chadwick, Missouri, and graduated from Sparta High School in Sparta, Missouri, in 1965. She obtained an associate degree in English from Drury University. Sandra retired after more than 30 years of dedicated service with Southwestern Bell, where she made many cherished friendships. Following her retirement, she worked part time for Alpha House of Springfield. She was a lifelong resident of Springfield and a proud member of St. John's Episcopal Church.
Sandra enjoyed family history and was a member of several heritage and historical societies, including the Rachel Donelson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Captain Robert Napier Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century; Stukely Westcott Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists; Mary Whitney Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War; and the Joel J. Adcock Chapter, U.S. Daughters of 1812, where she was a charter member. She was also a member of Ozarks Genealogical Society. Sandra was an avid photography enthusiast and was a member of the Southwest Missouri Camera Club. She also enjoyed driving her mother's 1970 red Chevelle in many local parades.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe; her parents, Virgil and Bessie Wilson, of Sparta, Missouri; an infant brother; and her cousin, Genie Davis, of Ava, Missouri, whom she loved like a sister.
She is survived by her daughter, Lora Newman (and her husband, David), of Rogersville, Missouri; her grandson, Daniel McAdams (and Rhonda); two great-granddaughters, Naomi and Mia McAdams; Dale Davis (and his family), of Ava, Missouri; and her cousin, Marie Keeter (and her family), of Atlanta, Georgia.
Sandra will be remembered for her strong faith, her love of family and history, and her quiet strength.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John's Episcopal Church (515 E. Division Street) on July 3 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Ron Keel officiating. A reception will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the church. A graveside service will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care of Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sandra's memory to the Rachel Donelson Chapter DAR, c/o Janet Perry, 33543 Highway O, Falcon, MO 65470-7152.
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