Shameka “Meka” Reese (nee Beverly) was born on September 21, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Gwendolyn Beverly and Michael Webster. She received her healing at 36 years old and went home to be with the MOST HIGH on October 22, 2021. Meka was the third of four children born to Gwen. She enjoyed being the only girl amongst her siblings. Shameka was preceded in death by her loving grandparents, Thomas Sr. and Annie M. Beverly.
Shameka accepted Christ at an early age and was a member at New Mission Missionary Baptist Church for most of her life. Meka became an Israelite four years ago and went home to the MOST HIGH knowing who she was in Christ. She attended the House of Jerusalem 144 with her husband and children. She graduated from the Dayton, Ohio Job Corp. Shameka obtained an Associate’s degree in Business Management from National College and a culinary certification from Cincinnati Cooks.
Shameka loved her grandparents, Thomas and Annie, who helped guide her through life’s challenges. Her granny, Annie would take her everywhere and share her love by preparing what Meka called “the bomb” dressing and pound cakes. Shameka never missed a plate from granny. She also loved fried fish prepared by her Aunt Betty from Cleveland, Ohio. Meka thought she and Aunt Betty had similar personalities; Aunt Betty does not take any mess. She would say, “She is me, and I am her!”
Shameka was the mother of six children, whom she loved dearly. She gave birth to her oldest son when she was just 15 years old, but fought through the adversities to raise him while going to school. She later had three more children with Jason Holston. She met the love of her life, Stephen Reese, in 2010, and the two were married on March 8, 2012. Two children were born into this union. Shameka and Stephen raised all their children together as one family. They shared a deep love for each other. They enjoyed playing games with the kids and participating in activities together, like walks in the park. Their home was full of laughter, fun, and family. Her family cheered her on as she worked through the challenges of completing her program at Cincinnati Cooks. Shameka and her family would help feed the homeless on Sundays to help give back to the community, which was Shameka’s firm belief, helping others any way she could.
Shameka loved spending time with her brothers as a little girl. She was a “tomboy” running around with them to catch tadpoles. She adored her big cousin Deron, always joking that she would move to Cleveland to mess with Deron on game day and laugh about how much fun they would have beefing about their teams. Meka loved cooking and dreamed of opening her food truck one day. Shameka was strong, passionate, courageous and spiritual. She shared everything she had. Meka was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2018, but never gave up her fight to live and care for her family through it all. When you think about Shameka, remember her laughing, joking, fiery personality and how she stood firm against all of life’s challenges.
Shameka is survived by: her husband, Stephen Reese; sons, Immanuel and Jason; daughters, Shamiyah, Nariyah, Maechaiah and Amarae; step-children, Stephen Jr., Aliyah and Miyana; parents, Gwendolyn and Michael; three brothers, Antonio, Anthony (Lakeisha) and William; special mother figure, Mary Holston; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Shameka Nicole Reese, please visit our floral store.