Evelyn Reaves

Mother Evelyn Reaves, 96, departed this life Monday April 22, 2019 in Marion County. She was the mother of Sarah Robertson, Lettie Johnson, Jeanette Furnace, Jean Tart, Kenneth Reaves and Ronnie Reaves. You may visit the family at 6103 Tulip Rd. Latta, SC 29565.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Greater Highway Church of Christ, Marion, Sunday April 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in the Greater Fork Chapel AME Church Cemetery.

~ Obituary~

Proverbs 31:10

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies”

Mother Evelyn Reaves was the daughter of the late Jim and Lettie Phillips. She was born in Marion, SC on May 20, 1922 and she departed this earthly life on Monday, April 22, 2019 at Mullins Nursing Center. 

Mother Evelyn Reaves was a true soldier of the Lord baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost. She joined Greater Highway Church of Christ in 1961 and was an integral part of the church family whom she loved with all her heart. She was a dedicated and hardworking woman of God and served as a member of the Missionary Department and Prayer Band. Due to circumstances, she was not always able to attend church, so her church family would rally around her and come to her home for noon day prayer. She would also take her family and walk to the churches in her neighborhood when she could not attend her home church.

Mother Evelyn Reaves was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a friend to all. She had a passion for people, cooking and sewing. She would spend countless hours preparing meals for pastors, families and friends in preparation for her “Sunday Go Meetings”. She wasn’t satisfied until she baked twelve cakes, eight pies and a pan of forty-eight biscuits. It brought her so much joy to see everyone enjoying their meals. The “Sunday Go Meetings” were held after church in her home. They were filled with singing, love, prayer, laughter and a trip down memory lane as Mother Reaves narrated her life to her loved ones. She encouraged her family to stay close, love one another and most of all know Christ. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Odell Reaves Sr; her children - Paul P. Reaves, Bobby Reaves, Ida R. Barr, Odell Reaves Jr. and all her siblings. 

She leaves to cherish fond and loving memories: her children - Sarah (Archie) Robertson of Latta SC, Lettie Johnson, Kenneth Reaves, Minister Jeanette Furnace, Jean (Leroy) Tart and Ronnie Reaves all of Marion, SC; one son-in-law, James Barr of Marion, SC; one grandson - Antwan (Latoya) Warren of Fayetteville, NC, reared in the home; special children: Dorothy Phillips of Latta, SC, Arthur Hemingway of Albany, NY and Jr. McFarland of Marion, SC; forty-five grandchildren, one hundred and nineteen great grandchildren, sixty-one great, great grandchildren and a host of special friends and family. A special thanks to the staff of the Mullins Nursing Center in Mullins, SC for their hard work and dedication as caretakers, friends and family of Mother Reaves.

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