October 8, 1941 – October 10, 2021

On October 8, 1941, Vera Mae was the first child born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Norman in Houston, Texas.  She was as beautiful as she was blessed and proved to be a greater blessing throughout her life.  She was nurtured and schooled in the Kashmere Gardens community and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School where she hailed as “Miss Wheatley” in 1959.  She furthered her education at Texas Southern University.

Vera was the product of a family that loved the Lord and subsequently gave her life to Christ during her youth.  She was a member of Blueridge Baptist Church and sang in the choir.  

Vera was a hard worker in every sense of the word; and set an exemplary standard for her younger brother, sister and other family members.  She married Herman Edward Reece, Jr., embraced the gift of motherhood and gave birth to five sons; each of whom possess a degree of her innate strength…in their own right. 

Vocationally, Vera always strived to “do better” so her continual climb included many jobs (sometimes two at a time) in various arenas. Notably, she worked as a phlebotomist at Ben Taub Hospital and the final wrung on her ladder of hard work resulted in retirement from the management tier of the United States Postal Service after 30 years. 

Vera will always be remembered for her courage and resilience, especially where family was concerned. While life was not always kind and circumstances were sometimes insurmountable, her faith and fortitude would enable her to rebound; to get back up and find a way to make God proud. The “Best Mother Ever” is what her sons Michael, Chris, Jason, Troy, and Shawn report; but her grandchildren and great grandchildren declare that she was the “Grandest of Grandmas.”

Vera answered the divine call from labor to reward on Sunday, October 10, 2021.  She was preceded in death by her parents; grandmother, Rebecca Donnette and sister, Barbara Jean Johnson.  She will be forever loved and cherished by her five sons: Michael Reece, Christopher Reece, Troy Reece (Nicole), Jason Reece (Chanae), and Shawn Reece (Melissa); one brother, Jesse Norman, ten granddaughters, six grandsons, thirty-two great-grandchildren, two nieces: Jessica Johnson (Tandy) and Rebecca Johnson; one nephew, Marcus Sigers: cousin, Howard Donnette; 8 sisters-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law and a host of other relatives and friends.