James Tilton Reeves, 85, went to his heavenly home sanctuary, October 17, 2015 while at Darlington Oaks Community Hospice, Verona, MS after a lengthy illness. Born January 9, 1930 to Dudley and Susie Reeves in Monroe County, MS, he became a member at Corinth Baptist Church, Vernon, AL in early childhood. He graduated high school at Greenwood Springs, MS in 1947 and attended Athens College, Athens, AL where he joined the 1343 Combat Engineer Group of the U.S. Army National Guard. he deployed to the Republic of Korea in 1951, where then Staff Sergeant Reeves served as a Demolition Specialist until his honorable discharge in October, 1951.
Returning to Athens College, he completed his Bachelor’s degree and later received his Master’s in Education from Mississippi State University. He began his thirty year career as a teacher. coach, and education administrator at Hatley, MS and taught at Pheba, MS and Thaxton, MS before moving to Jackson, TN where he worked in sales for the Magee-Ross Company. Returning to teaching, he served as elementary principal in Nettleton, MS from 1960-1964. In 1965, he was principal of Fielding L. Wright Elementary in Rolling Fork, MS. From 1966 through 1969, Mr. Reeves was principal of Mooreville High School and then moved to Smithville, MS while working as the Title One Program Coordinator for Monroe County in Aberdeen, MS. He again returned to teaching as principal of Tremont High School where he remained until retiring in 1984. He then worked with Reeves Construction until retiring again in 1992.
An avid outdoorsmen, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and sports. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and as a caring and dedicated educator, helped many young people in school find their way in life.
He was a member of Saint Union Primitive Baptist Church, Amory, MS and is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nelorue Cox Reevs and sons James Douglas(Anita) Reeves of Columbus, MS and Terry(Teresa) Reeves of Fulton, MS; five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, Truman ( Hazel) Reeves of Bessemer, AL and sisters Erma Hamilton and Eleanor (C.W.) Walters of Columbus, MS and Mary Sue Jones of Caledonia, MS.
Services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday October 20, 2015 at Senter Funeral Home in Fulton, MS with Elder Bobby Howell officiating. Interment will be at Itawamba Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday October 19, 2015 at Senter Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Derek Reeves, John David Reeves, Michael Shane Gatlin Reeves, Blake Nichols, Dale Petty, and Bobby Carter.
Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Daniel Reeves of Chugiak, Alaska, and Danny Johnson of Fulton, MS.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Union Primitive Baptist Church, Amory, MS
Attn: Sandra Carpenter, 60018 Carter Road, Amory, MS 38821
