Cleo B Rease

CLEO BERNADINE DAVIS REASE,was born on May 14, 1934 to the late Robert Y. and Pattie C. Davis in Warrenton, North Carolina.

Cleo, who was called Bernadine by her parents, was the second youngest child of fourteen siblings who have all preceded her in death. Bernadine received her education and was a graduate of the John R. Hawkins High School in Warrenton, North Carolina. At an early age she gave her life to Christ and was a member of the Little Zion Baptist Church in Warrenton, North Carolina, where she was an active member until she relocated to Baltimore, Maryland to live with her brother Garland Davis.

There she met the love of her life, Willie Berry Rease, who she fondly called "Bill" and he fondly called her "Berna". They were united in Holy Matrimony on July 28, 1956 and from their union they were blessed with three children,Cheryl Renee, Alice Raynel and Otis Jaran. She was a dedicated matriarch who instilled the value of work in her children is lives. In 2016, her husband, Bill preceded her in death.

Cleo was a teacher's aide for a short period in a neighboring elementary school. She gained employment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital where she loved her position and retired after 29 years of service.

She will be fondly remembered as "Bean" and "Aunt Bean" by her cousin Pat Boyd of North Carolina, her many nieces and nephews and a host of relatives. She will be fondly remembered as Rease to her many friends. One of her dearest friends, Mrs. Valarie Holcombe, who she met when she first moved to Baltimore to live, is like a member of the family.

Friends from the Milton Avenue neighborhood and surrounding area knew her as Mrs. Cleo. many of her children's friends knew her as a mom they came to love and called her as their own; where she would spend countless hours encouraging, supporting and giving in her own unique way, her love for them all. The life and love she shared with them will forever be imprinted in their memories.

On Friday, December 7, 2018, after a long illness, Cleo Bernadine Davis Rease, departed this earthly life and transitioned to her eternal home, to reunite with love ones who have gone on before her.

Cleo leaves to cherish beautiful memories: two daughters, Cheryl Renee Rease and Alice Raynel Rease-Pitter; one son, Otis Jaran Rease Sr.; one daughter-in-law, Danielle; one son-in-law, Michael; four grandsons, Jaron Everett Taylor, Otis Jaran Rease Jr., Michael William Pitter, Marlon Pitter; one granddaughter, Nicole Joyce Rease; two great-grandsons, Marlon Pitter Jr., (MJ) and Eli Thomas Rease; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

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