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Obituary for Paul Reeves
Mr. Reeves died Thursday, July 23, 2020 in Prisma Health Richland, Columbia. He was born in Kershaw, SC on May 21, 1927 and was the son of the late Jefferson Ernest Reeves and Dorothy Whitley Reeves. He was a member of Second Baptist Church. He was a previous member of Center Grove Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ernestine Faulkenberry Reeves; brother, James Elliott Reeves (Bobby Ruth); sisters, Irma Hinson (Mack), and Annie Ruth Williams (Herbert).
Paul graduated from Kershaw High School in 1947 where he had been a 3-sport athlete. He proudly served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division, 120th Engineer (Combat) Battalion. He underwent basic training at Camp Polk, LA and was deployed to Korea in 1951. Paul was stationed at or above the 38 Parallel for most of his 18 months of service with the 45th. He experienced the loss and injury to his fellow soldiers. His brother-in-law, Vernon O. Faulkenberry was killed in action within the last days of the war. Paul maintained that his faith became real as witnessed firsthand the carnage of war. He was fiercely loyal to his country, knowing that many had sacrificed their lives to maintain our way of life.
Upon return from Korea, he became employed by Springs Mills at the Grace Bleachery. He was a winder operator and served as a faithful employee for 35 years. He was once asked why he did not “move up” in management at Grace, with such a long tenure. He responded that “there are people who should be the ‘boss’ and there are people who should be the ‘worker’…and I should be a ‘worker”.
He loved the Lord first. He loved his family, his church, his country and his 1968 Farmall 140 tractor, not necessarily, in that same order. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He excelled at all these tasks, seeing the ability to do them as a pure blessing. He raised chickens for eggs and raised pigs, mainly for making very tasty, spicey homemade sausage for his family and friends and caring for the pigs gave him an opportunity to visit their far-removed pen and enjoy a contraband cigarette without Ernestine’s knowledge. Of course, she knew. The pigs were some of the best maintained pigs in Lancaster County.
Mr. Reeves is survived by a son, Paul Lee Reeves (Darby) of Columbia; daughter, Joni Reeves of Camden; brother Deanie Reeves (Glenda) of Chester; five grandchildren, Bryant Young, Morgan S. Motes, Luke A. Reeves, Lee Reeves, Merritt Reeves. He was blessed with two great- grandchildren, Bowyer and Bear Motes.
Paul and Joni would like to thank Faye Sowell caregiver in the home, the staff of Life Care Center of Columbia for the care and compassion provided to their dad over the years, the doctors, nurses and staff at Prisma Health Richland, Spencer Robinson, M.D. and especially the faithful members of Kershaw Second Baptist Church for continually reaching out with cards and visits over his stay at Lifecare.
A memorial service for Mr. Reeves will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at 11am in the sanctuary of Kershaw Second Baptist Church. Rev. Ronnie Hinson will officiate.
Those attending the service are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Interment with full military honors will take place at a later date in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
Memorials may be made to Kershaw Second Baptist, 7737 Kershaw Camden Hwy, Kershaw SC 29067, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 140 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 210, Columbia, SC 29210.
