Rhea J. Reeves “Servant
of the Lord”
COUDERSPORT, Pa.- Rhea Joan Reeves, 85, of Coudersport, went
into the presence of her Savior on Monday, December 31, 2018.
Born on November 14, 1933, in Borie, PA, she was a daughter
of Merrick V. and Miriam J. Reed Jackson.
On August 30, 1957, at the Prouty Church, she married Charles H. Reeves,
who died on January 6, 2009.
Rhea was a graduate of the Coudersport High School, class of
1951. She worked for a period of time in
Emporium, PA, and then attended the Bryant and Stratton Business Institute in
Buffalo, NY, graduating in 1954. She
joined several sisters at Tennessee Temple School in Chattanooga, TN, and
graduated from the Bible School in 1957.
In 1961, Rhea, along with her husband, Charles, was accepted
by Baptist Mid-Missions to go as church-planting missionaries to the state of
Alaska. From 1963-2004, Rhea work alongside
her husband serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in many churches across
the state of Alaska. She spent many
years teaching children’s Bible clubs in her home, Sunday schools in churches,
and ministering at Bible camps. She also
invested herself into the lives of many women by discipling them in the Word of
God.
Rhea enjoyed cooking and her table was often filled with
friends who just stopped by to visit or were shown Christian hospitality.
She was always willing to learn new things. She taught herself to play the piano so there
would be a church pianist; took classes in painting and produced many beautiful
Alaska scenes; and learned how to decorate cakes and used her talent in
providing wedding cakes to family and friends.
Rhea is survived by a daughter, Rebekah L. (Thomas) Jones of
Chesapeake, VA; and two sons, Michael C. (Ruth) Reeves of Coudersport, PA, and
Joel H. (Carole) Reeves of Anchorage, AK.
Rhea is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren;
two sisters, Greta Jackson of Sebring, FL and Marilyn (Robert) Wagner of
Coudersport, PA; two brothers, Donald (Carol) Jackson and Daryl (Judy) Jackson,
both of Coudersport, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Charles, Rhea was preceded in death
by her parents, two brothers, and one sister.
Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on
Saturday, January 5, 2019, at North Eulalia Baptist Church, 683 State Route 49
East, Coudersport, where funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Michael
Reeves, pastor of North Eulalia Baptist Church and Mrs. Reeves’ son,
officiating. Burial will be in Summit
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baptist
Mid-Missions, 7749 Webster Road, Cleveland, OH 44130.
Rhea’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury,
funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, share a fond memory or view a video
tribute of Rhea, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com.
