Aileen Reeves

Aileen Reeves, 81, died at home on September 2, 2023, in Houston, surrounded by love and on her own terms.

Services will be at 1:30 P.M., Monday, November 20, 2023, in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, with Stephen Gaines officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas.

Born on March 12, 1942, in Amarillo, TX to David and Rowena Fansler, Aileen was one of six children who formed a hard-working, strong-willed and eternally loyal family who loved each other, their children and fishing, in no particular order.

Aileen started her first job at the age of 14 and never stopped working until she retired as office manager for Amarillo Urology Associates, where she worked for 26 years. She believed a woman should be able to take care of herself and the people she loves, and she did exactly that.

By far the best job she ever had, and the one that gave her the most joy, was being a mother to her two children, Mark and Gina. She believed her children were the gifts she gave to herself and to this world, and she adored them. Asked what her greatest accomplishment in her life was, Aileen said, “That I raised two children who are genuinely good people, and that they are doing the same.”

Funny, intelligent and kind beyond measure, Aileen loved cheering on the Houston Astros and eating chocolate ice cream. She believed in Jesus, a woman’s right to choose and that love is love. She was an opinionated voracious reader who balanced her checkbook to the penny two days before she entered hospice care. Her mind was always strong, but her body was not.

For the last 10 years Aileen battled one health setback after another, from an aortic dissection to a stroke that left her with mobility and speech impairment, but she always had hope and she never gave up because she still found joy in living. She was an absolute force. And when it was finally time to let go, she did so with peace and with no regrets.

She is survived by her son, Mark Walker and his wife Michelle, of Amarillo, her daughter, Gina Lucero Fry and her husband Terry, of Houston, who lovingly cared for her in their home for the last eight years, grandchildren Devon Walker and wife Codi, Lance Walker and wife Madison, of Amarillo, David Fry, Evan Fry and Lauren Fry, all of Houston, great grandchildren Sheyann and Marlie Walker, and Lily, Mark Thomas and Clark Walker, as well as multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, older brother, David Fansler, and younger brother, Neal Fansler, Aileen leaves behind in Amarillo her twin brother Alvin Fansler and his wife Senora, and her sisters and lifelong best friends, Clara Fansler and Laura McCreary and her partner Bill Bingham, all of whom she promised to hold a spot for on the fishing bank in Heaven.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to caregiver and friend, Jeneba Gbessay, who provided years of comfort and love to Aileen, who considered her to be family.

In the meantime, for those left here, Aileen wanted us to find comfort in her favorite scripture, which is what she truly believed would happen when she left behind her tired body.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Fly high Aileen. You will never be forgotten.