Mr. Robert Grover Reeves, of Vinemont, passed away at the age of 85 on March 20, 2016 at CRMC. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 23rd at Cullman First Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Funeral services will begin at noon, with burial at the city cemetery.
Mr. Reeves was born in Pittsboro, Mississippi on June 25, 1930 to R.C. and Mattie Reeves. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He then attended Mississippi State University on the GI Bill and graduated in 1958. He married Irma Goodson the same year and began his career with the Mississippi Plant Board. They moved to Cullman, Alabama in 1973 where he worked for Chevron Chemical until his retirement.
He and his wife have been active members of Cullman First Baptist Church since 1976, where Grover has served as a deacon since 1985. They also served as one of the first welcoming committees. Every Wednesday morning he and Ralph Parvin would prepare breakfast for students and provided transportation when needed. After retiring he turned his love of cooking into a community and nationwide endeavor. He embraced a ministerial pursuit combining his generosity, Christian faith and love of good food and people.
Through his volunteer endeavors he helped many organization and Churches with fundraising dinners. Almost 20 years ago he collaborated with the ministerial association to start a Thanksgiving Day Meal for those who might not have a family or could not afford to prepare a meal. Since the inception of this program over 20,000 people have enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal prepared by the caring Cullman Community. He also distributed food during Christmas Love. For 18 years Mr. Reeves and his best friend Ralph served on numerous church building mission trips, providing three meals a day for the carpenters.
Because of his love of agriculture he served on the Farm-City Committee for many years preparing the food for their awards banquet for many of those years. Reeves severed 9 years as a volunteer supervisor at Cullman County Soil and Water Conservation District, where he served on area and state boards. Reeves is a charter member of the Ag 100 Club of Mississippi State. He served as an honorary member of the Lions Club, selling more fish and ham tickets than any member. He was also honored by the Rotary Club with the Service Above Self Award in 2014. In 2005 and 2013, he was recognized by The Cullman Times as an Unsung Hero.
Reeves is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Mary Frances Harris and Martha Floy Baker.
Reeves is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Irma Goodson Reeves, daughters: Jane Turner of Decatur, Alabama and Jeanne Reeves of Cary, North Carolina. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers contributions could be sent to Grover Reeves Scholarship Fund, Wallace State Future Foundation, P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077.
