Morris Maurice DeShields

Morris Maurice DeShields affectionately known as “Reese”, “Big Reese” or “Coach Reese”, was born on October 1, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, at Kings County Hospital to the late Morris Sherwood DeShields and Eunice Lewis DeShields. On Thursday, June 6, 2024, Maurice transitioned into his eternal resting place with the Lord, at his home in Alexandria, VA. Maurice had a strong faith and professed his belief that there is only “One God.”

He attended Franklin K. Lane H.S in New York. He loved to play sports, particularly basketball and football. In the late 70s, he and his family moved to Alexandria. Maurice was a hard worker and held several jobs. He learned the drywall trade; he served in the Army, and later worked as a supervisor at Overflo Warehouse in Baltimore, MD until he became ill. From 2007 – 2018 he coached youth basketball for the Alexandria City Recreation Department. He also enjoyed cooking and spending time with his beloved dog and companion “Brooklyn.”

One of Maurice’s greatest joys was being dad to three children, Maurice Williams “Little Reese” (wife Lydia), Takina McNeil, and Khalia Evans. He aloved spending time with his five grandchildren, Matavin, Kiamyra, Naivian, and Ne′Seant Williams and Tionna McNeil. Often Maurice he would gather his and other neighborhood children and take them to Andrews Air Force Base to see The Blue Angels and car shows.

Maurice leaves to cherish his children and grandchildren; four sisters, Robin L. DeShields, Dawn K. Polite, Kim Y. DeShields (Alexandria, VA), and Karen Pearson (Queens, NY); aunts: Beverly Tull-Howard and Wynelle Willliams, of Cleveland OH; nieces and nephews, Janine DeShields, Mia DeShields, the late Terrance “T.P.” Polite, Justine Green (VA); and Nasiem, Caron and Kyrie (mom Karen-NY); great nieces and nephews, Shantel DeShields-Lynch, Jolia Lynch, Trevor Wright, and Bryce Martin (VA) and a host of family and friends including best friend, Roderick “Rod” Williams (Catherine), of Ashburn, VA. Reese also stayed in touch with many family and friends he grew up with in New York. “Shout out to the “Decatur Street Gang,” Janie, Joel, Dosia, Gail, Wanda, Jackie. RIP Junior Bailey, and Leslie.

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