Joy Beth (Paden) Reese was born in Brownfield, Texas on May 24, 1952. Having attended a number of public schools in Texas, she graduated with honors from Ennis High School in 1970. She entered Harding University the following fall and received the Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Home Economics in May 1975. She entered Abilene Christian University in May 1996. Having also taken a few courses from Southwestern Texas State University and Harding Graduate School of Religion, she received the Master of Science degree in Family Studies from Abilene Christian University in May 2002. She is married to John Reese and is the mother of four children, of whom the two oldest are currently missionaries. Having served with her family as missionaries in Zimbabwe and South Africa from 1976-1991 and 1994-1995, Beth is currently employed by World Bible School in Cedar Park, Texas, and has helped lead short term mission campaigns to Zimbabwe and Ghana for the past five years.