May 6, 1938 ~ September 16, 2026 (age 88)
Reba Jean McAlister Gulledge, 88, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends. She began her battle with cancer over 13 years ago, as well as various other ailments along the way.
Reba was born in Tallassee, Ala. and graduated from Robertsdale High School in Robertsdale, Ala. in 1956. She married her loving husband, Byron, on December 16,1956, and the couple lived in Summerdale, Ala. until moving to Auburn in 1960, where they began a boarding house business.
In 1965, Reba began a 37-year career at Auburn University, first working part-time in the ticket office before moving into a full-time position as the secretary for the sports information office in 1974. She worked first for (the late) Buddy Davidson and then for David Housel when he was named sports information director (SID) in 1980. During her time in sports information, Reba worked for five SIDs and six head football coaches. She was known to be a great Auburn sports resource and always delivered information with a pleasant voice and a smile. She also worked many years at Southeastern Conference (SEC) events, even after her retirement from Auburn. Her love for anything Auburn was evident in her dedication and hard work through the years, and she enjoyed sharing that love with family and friends. After her husband’s death, Reba moved into Auburn Assisted Living where she lived until May 2026. Everyone there was like a second family to her.
Reba was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Aubrey Byron Gulledge; her son, Barney Gulledge; her parents, Henry and Francis McAlister; and her sister, Betty McAlister Broach.
She is survived by her son Glen Gulledge and his wife Stephanie; daughter Regena Gulledge Spence and her husband George; daughter in law Connie Gulledge; six grandchildren: Michael Gulledge (Lauren), Patricia Gulledge, Aubrey Gulledge, Josh Spence (Emi), Jeb Spence (Hannah), and Shelby Gulledge (Maddy); seven great-grandchildren: Trace and Will Gulledge, Avery, Ingram and Ada Spence, Abby and Sarah Dilts, and great grand dog Honey; siblings: Connie Carver (late John), Bill McAlister, Kay Clark (Bob), and Luke McAlister (Debi); sister-in-law Mary Carolyn Gulledge McDaniel (late Ronnie); and many nieces and nephews she dearly loved.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT at Parkway Baptist Church in Auburn (766 E. University Dr.), followed by a memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. Reba will be buried at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery immediately after the service.
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