Mary Frances Reese-Sofio of Picayune, Mississippi

June 6, 1940 - April 26, 2019

Mary Frances Bates Reese-Sofio, age 78, of Picayune, MS, passed away Friday, April 26, 2019, in Picayune, MS.

A visitation was held Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at McDonald Funeral Home, Picayune, MS. Graveside Services will be held at Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS, on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Family and friends will meet at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral home, 903 College St., Columbus, MS, beginning at 2:30 pm and  will proceed in a caravan to Friendship Cemetery for Graveside Services at 3:00 pm. A visitation will be held immediately afterwards at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory until 5:30 pm.

Arrangements were handled by McDonald Funeral Home, Picayune, MS. Arrangements in Columbus have been entrusted to Memorial Gunter Peel  Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mary Frances was born June 6,1940, in Columbus, MS. She graduated from Lee High School, and attended MSCW, both in Columbus, MS. Mary Frances received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Mississippi State University. She lived in Starkville, MS, for many years,and in San Clemente, CA, until 2004 when she returned to Mississippi. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Franklin Bates and Bessie Moore Bates; her husband, Joseph Sofio; and her sister, Nancy Colquette.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Paul (Stacy) Reese and  Robert Reese, both  of Picayune, MS, Jennye (Shane) Case of Brandon, MS, and Thomas Reese of Spanish Fort, AL; seven  grandchildren, Rashell (Alex) Dawsey, ReAnna Reese, Ashton Reese, Connor Case, Michael Case, Laura Case, and Hannah Reese; three great grandchildren, Railey Dawsey, Raif Dawsey, and Payton Reese; her first husband, Jim Reese; her brother, Paul "Buddy" Bates; her brother- in- law, Ernie Colquette; her cousin, Patricia Moore Vaughan; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703, or the charity of your choice.