Edna Eubanks Reeves

Published 11:24 pm Saturday, February 13, 2016

MOULTRIE — Edna Eubanks Reeves, 96, of Moultrie, died on Friday morning, February 12, 2016, at Legacy Village at Park Regency in Moultrie.

A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Moultrie. The Reverend Dick Reese and the Reverend Mark Addington will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private family graveside service will be held.

Serving as casket bearers are Michael Usry, Adam Reeves and Joel Reeves, grandsons of Mrs Reeves; Brad Usry, her great-grandson; Charles Griner and Ivey Griner, nephews of Mrs Reeves; and Sid Collins, a long-time special friend. Honorary casket bearers are Woody Eubanks and Wayne Eubanks, nephews of Mrs Reeves; Cecil Gaines, Clarence Summerford, June Reese, Patsie and Charles Bevis, the Neille McDonald Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church, former employees of Kelly-Reeves Furniture Company, and the Moultrie Lions Club.

Mrs Reeves was born on October 12, 1919, in Mitchell County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late James Ivey Eubanks, Sr and Aline Phelps Eubanks. She graduated from Sale City High School in 1937. After high school, she moved to Moultrie and worked as a cashier for a local grocery; then worked with Cranford’s Jewelry for several years.

Throughout her life Mrs Reeves was an active member of her church and community. She was the first woman to preside over the Board of Stewards in her church. She served as President of the United Methodist Women and over the years held other positions in the UMW and the Circle of which she was a member. She was in charge of the Easter Lily Cross at her church for many years. Along with the late Gwen Clements, she helped to coordinate and serve many meals to families through the “We Care” ministry. She was also an active member of the Pacesetters group of her church. Mrs. Reeves was a former garden club member, a cub scout den mother, a charter member of the Moultrie Lioness Club, and an active member of the Moultrie Lions Club for many years. One of her hobbies in her younger years was playing volleyball at the YMCA where she was also an active member. She enjoyed cooking and was always taking food and cakes to shut-ins and others.

She and her late husband, James Hinton Reeves, were married on April 2, 1947, at the First United Methodist Church in Moultrie. After the birth of their third child, she joined him in the family business. They spent many years working together, and later along with their children, in the family-owned retail furniture business. They enjoyed traveling and participating in many activities in the Georgia Retail Furniture Association and the Second Air Division Association. They met many people who became good friends over the years during their travels with these organizations. They were also members of the Modest Eaters Supper Club for about 65 years.

Mrs. Reeves received several awards over the years for her service to her church and community. One of the most special was “The Quiet Disciple” award presented to her by the United Methodist Women. Her family says this exemplifies who she was — devoted and caring of others.

She loved her family and one of her greatest joys was that her children and grandchildren come to her home for dinner after church on Sunday. She loved planning the meals and insisted on doing most of the cooking for as long as she could.

Other then her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, U S Air Force Lt. John M Powell, who died in a plane crash; her second husband of over 65 years and the father of her children, James Hinton Reeves; brothers, Etheridge Eubanks, J.I. Eubanks Jr., Ralph Eubanks, W.L. “Bill” Eubanks; sisters, Mary Anna Eubanks Griner and Clarice Eubanks Turk.

She is survived by her children Nancy Reeves Usry, Grover and Martha Reeves, and Roy and Cheryle Reeves, all of Moultrie; six grandchildren, Allison Usry Thompson and Dave of Athens, Ga.; Michael Usry and Karin of Bogart, Ga., Adam Reeves and Lori of Moultrie, Joel Reeves of Moultrie, Kate Reeves Krenkel and Drew of Auburn, Ala., and Ivey Reeves Tenny and Adam of Athens, Ga.; 6 great-grandchildren, Brad Usry, Megan Usry, Hardin Reeves, Holden Reeves, Aynsley Parker Usry and Brandt Usry; two sisters-in-law, Christine Eubanks and Martha Eubanks of Mitchell County; many nieces and nephews; a devoted cousin, Cecil Gaines; special friends, Charles and Patsie Bevis, Dick and June Reese, Jane Neal and Pearlie Mae Little.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P O Box 757, Moultrie GA; the Colquitt County Food Bank, P O Box 1402, Moultrie GA; or a charity of your choice.

Cobb Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please leave condolences to the family at www.cobbfuneralchapel.com or www.moultrieobserver.com.