Rose Reese McLean was born on October 9, 1944, in Dunn, N.C. to the late Harold James and Romelia McLean. She was one of eight siblings of three girls and five boys.

At a very young age, she met Brent Ridgeway. From that union came her oldest daughter Andretta. Later she met and married Deacon Clegg. Together they had one daughter Romelia McLean of Houston, Texas, and two sons Franklin (Kierra) McLean of Columbus, Ohio, and Joshua (Lisa) McLean of Houston, Texas, and 9 grandchildren. She also took special care of Thomas (Little Tom) McLean Jr.

She attended South High School. After high school he attended University of Georgia. After returning to Columbus, Ohio Reese took up the lifelong job of being a caretaker which he enjoyed about 35 years she also enjoyed singing in the choir and you could catch her singing a song with her soft voice when driving. She loved being a mother and a grandmother. She attended the Power house and Independent Missionary Church of God and Christ under the leadership of Elder Willie Sammo, Elder Willie Williams, and superintendent Lawrence Howard Jr.