Henri Adelle Luhn, 104, of Greenville, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023,
after an extended, adventure-filled life. She was a Christian and a prayer warrior. She
spent her last few years discussing with God why anyone needed to live that long, but
the family appreciates God’s timing.
She was born, on December 17, 1918, to Andrew and Bennie Stephens in Emory,
Texas, the fifth child of ten. She was a feisty middle child who survived hunger during
the Great Depression and learned to be resourceful. She always planned for the
unknown, even going so far as to reviewing her last wishes when the family was
gathered together, no matter the holiday. Adelle graduated from Quinlan and married
her great love, Martin Luhn, June 3, 1939, whom she frequently told stories about being
hard-headed.
Adelle, known affectionately as Nanny, was a spunky wife, mother, grandmother, and
great-grandmother. Early on she supported the war effort knitting scarves that she
would send off for soldiers. Later, she continued to utilize her sewing skills to help
support raising her children, Martin and Lisa. She sat with each of her grandchildren
through the years at her sewing machine, teaching them in turn. She retired early in her
80s from Calico Cat, where she worked as a salesperson and seamstress making
alterations for customers.
Nanny enjoyed spending time gardening and watching birds from her porch. She used
her harvests to make her signature Slang Jane with a pot of black eyed peas. Her great-
grandchildren remember passing hours in the yard with her, making mud pies, while the
grandchildren recall wielding kitchen knives with abandon during their culinary exploits.
Nanny was fond of hitting the town with her ”red girlfriend”, who surprisingly turned out
to be her red mini van. She shared stories of eating at The Royal before going two
stepping on Saturday nights with friends. She danced late into her 80s and continued on
her adventures until her red girlfriend started losing body parts and had to be retired. At
97, while residing at Liberty Heights, she was crowned the Queen of the Waltz Across
Texas.
Adelle is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Terry) Turner; daughter-in-law, Sue Luhn; her
grandchildren, Ellie (Matt) Mulliken, Kate (Raul) Ramos, Jason (Beth) Luhn, and Scott
Luhn; her great-grandchildren, Jackson (Madison) Mulliken, Maddie Mulliken, Luci
Ramos, and Jaden Luhn; and her brother Eddie Stephens.
Adelle endured the loss of her husband and son sooner than a wife and mother should.
She was predeceased by her husband, Martin Reese; her son, Martin Reese II; parents
Andrew and Bennie; and her siblings, Eugene, Clifford, Steve, Ellon, JD, Dorothy,
Raymond, and Marcelle.
Those who knew Adelle will miss her deeply. The family she left behind hopes that they
can emulate Nanny’s zeal for living life and carry on the legacy she has gifted them.
A memorial service will be held on June 14 at 10:00 at Memoryland Memorial Park in
Greenville.
