Karla Kay Reese

Karla Kay Reese, 67, of Waco, passed away June 25, 2021.

Service Information: Visitation will be on Saturday, July 10^th from 11:00am to 11:30 am at Primrose Drive Baptist Church, 2619 Primrose Drive, Waco, TX, 76706.  A memorial celebration of life service will start at 11:30am. A meal will be served following the service.

She was born in Amarillo, on November 23, 1953, the daughter of Billy and Wanda Freeman. With her birthday often falling on Thanksgiving Day, she was lovingly called “Turkey” by her family. As the middle child among her siblings, Vickie, Mike, and Paula, she was always known to be the dramatic one. We all loved to hear the hilarious recounts of their childhood when Karla Kay made the smallest event into an absolute saga. She moved to Waco in 1990.

Karla always said that her prayer as a young woman was that she would be a good mother and bring her children up to know the Lord. She was a wonderful mother to her 2 children, Michael and Vicky and she embraced Larry’s children as her own.

Karla was a hard worker since the age of 15. She had many occupations, but the title that best described her would be “Care-Giver”. She loved caring and helping people. Living life according to her favorite scripture, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, she cared for everyone around her with her whole heart. She successfully operated her own licensed child day care service. Later she became a Certified Nursing Assistant. Karla worked at Friends for Life Adult Day Care for many years before retiring. She was cherished by her patients. She had a special place in her heart for Rudy and Ms. Patsy, who were considered family.

Karla loved Jesus and shared her faith every opportunity she had. She loved teaching Sunday school and participating in the choir. She was an active member of Primrose Drive Baptist Church.  She had a deep appreciation for nature. She enjoyed watching the birds come to her bird feeders, feeding the ducks and squirrels at the park, and walking her beloved pets.

She was preceded in death by her infant child, Lillie Jean Lawlis; brother, Mike Freeman; and sister, Paula Bates.

She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Larry Reese. He always called her his “Sunshine”. Their most cherished times together were their trips to the lake and ocean to fish and experience the serene beauty of nature.

She is also survived by her sister, Vickie Stoltenberg; son, Mike Lawlis; daughter, Vicky Ruby and husband, Scott; stepchildren, Bradley Reese, Chris Reese, Kimberly Reese, and Timothy Reese; grandchildren, Gabe Ruby and wife, Jessica, Hannah Ruby, and Eli Ruby; great-grandchild, Noelle; niece, Kaytie Cornelison and husband, Ronnie; nephews, Otto Cain and Byron Alexander.

Donations, food, and flowers may be directed to Vicky Ruby through instant message or email vruby254@gmail.com.