Mildred Lyons Reese celebrated her 104th birthday Thursday with family and friends at Brandon Wilde.
Reese was born in New Orleans July 28, 1918. Following Hurricane Katrina, she relocated to Evans and then moved to Brandon Wilde in 2009. Reese is a very active community volunteer, having served on numerous community boards including the YMCA, Urban League, League of Women Voters, the New Orleans Council on Aging, and the Bright Pre-School for the Deaf. She is a life member of Sigma Gamma Rho and the Atlanta University Alumni Association, according to a news release.
After moving to Evans, Reece became a member of Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church, where she is a member of the Sunday School, Publicity Committee and Deaconess. She is the author of “America and Us” and co-author of “Successful African American Males: Teachers Make a Difference,” with her friend and colleague, Thelma Smith, the news release said.
Reese is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association Award in Education; Urban League Whitney Young, Jr. Brotherhood Award; The Links, Inc. Unsung Heroes Award; University of New Orleans First Citizen of the Learning Society Award; National Council of Negro Women Community Leaders Award; NOPSI Consumer Roundtable Award; PTA Outstanding Community Service Award; and Freedoms Foundation Award. Reese was also listed in Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who of American Women.
