Reuben Reeves

Joseph Reuben Reeves, 97, of Spartanburg, SC, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Born March 18, 1919, in Central, SC, he was the son of the late James Thomas and Essie Bates Reeves. He was a devoted and loving husband to his childhood sweetheart and wife of 65 years, the late Gwendolyn Berry Reeves. A retired employee of Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Mr. Reeves was a member and Sunday School teacher for the Deaf ministry at First Baptist Church Spartanburg for 40 years. He graduated from the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in 1939 and was the organizer and founder of the SCSD Alumni Association in 1950. As an advocate for the deaf in South Carolina, Mr. Reeves served on the Executive Board of the South Carolina Association for the Deaf for more than 25 years. As president of SCAD in 1964, he made the voice of the deaf heard for the first time on the floor of the State Senate. In 1990 and 2008, Mr. Reeves was recognized as a Leader of Special Merit and member of the Hall of Fame by the Southeast Athletic Association of the Deaf for outstanding contributions and athletic achievements. Survivors include two daughters, Jane Babb (Johnny) of Inman, SC and Ann Petty Ballard (Louie) of Spartanburg, SC; seven grandchildren, Lori Babb Witt (Tray), Tracy Babb Brown (David), Mitzi Babb Bragg (Kevin), Brent Babb (Haley), Jennie Caston Bulman (Greg), Kathie Caston Martin (Jonathan), and Jacque Petty Graham (David); and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by two brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be 9:30-10:45 AM Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Floyd's Boiling Springs Chapel, 4081 Hwy 9 N, Boiling Springs, SC 29316. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM, at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Manning Strickland. Burial will be in Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery, 5555 Parris Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SCSD Alumni Association, PO Box 6523, Spartanburg, SC 29304. The family would like to thank the staff of Lake Emory Post Acute Care for their kindness and compassion in caring for Mr. Reeves. Floyd's Boiling Springs Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Reuben Reeves please visit our Sympathy Store.