Dear editor,

As a family we have truly been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and encouragement we have received from the citizens of Selma and Dallas County during one of the darkest times in our lives.

We would first like to thank Mayor George Evans, his staff and the Selma City Council for their support and kindness.

Coach Elton Reece was so proud to call Selma home and to work with and for you all.

Thank you for trusting his leadership abilities and vision for the Selma Parks and Recreation Department.

We would also like to thank Probate Judge Kim Ballard and the Dallas County Commission for their support of our family.

Elton not only thought of you all as colleagues, but also as friends. We know his loss has impacted each one of you, as well as so many others.

He was so proud of his job and he loved going to work every single day!

Next, we would like to thank The Selma Times Journal, Daniel Evans and the entire newspaper staff for the precious memorials, editorials and articles that embodied what our beloved husband, father, father-in-law and Papa was to us and so many others.

These writings are treasured gifts that we cherish and will be able to share with Papa’s pride and joy; his granddaughter, Ellie Grace.

What a blessing it is that she will know exactly what her Papa meant to this community.

Finally, we would like to thank each and every one of you who have supported us with your prayers, cards, memorial gifts, flowers and words of kindness over the past month.

Coach Reece never forgot a face, a name, a neighbor, a coworker, a friend, a student, a player or fellow coach.

He saw no color, no socioeconomic status or ability level. What he saw was a person’s heart, desire, attitude and character. He truly wanted to minister to everyone he came to know and love.

If Coach Reece knew you, then you mattered to him. How wonderful this world would be if only more people were like our precious Coach Reece.

We ask that you honor his legacy by living as he did; to love unconditionally, set a positive example for those around you, play with class and passion for the game, love the Lord and cherish your family and friends.

We will never be able to fully put into words the sadness that the loss of our amazing patriarch has brought us.

However, through unimaginable loss we have experienced tremendous blessings that we will never be able to repay.

We are all so humbled. Thank you Selma and Dallas County for loving, respecting and paying tribute to our dear husband, father, father-in-law, Papa and “Coach.”

We covet your continued prayers for the days, weeks and months to come.

 

Joy, Lane, Todd, Kellie and Ellie Grace Reece

Selma