Joseph S. Reaves, 83, of Huntsville, passed away Monday. Born in Anniston, Mr. Reaves spent his early years there before moving to Birmingham where his father worked on the L&N Railroad. There Joe developed a love for trains, which lasted his lifetime. After graduating from Woodlawn High School, Joe joined the Air Force. Upon completion of basic training, he returned to marry Barbara Barrett in May 1952, taking the train to Waco, TXs where Joe was stationed. After Joe was discharged from the Air Force, he, Barbara, and daughter, Debbie, moved to Tuscaloosa where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and took his first job at Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles. In 1960, he returned to Huntsville to work at Chrysler, NASA (28 years), and Teledyne Brown. During his career at NASA, he received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of Alabama. He also taught part-time at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Athens State University and Alabama A&M University. Joe was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he taught adult and youth Sunday school classes. His interests were many including spending time with his grandchildren, reading, gardening, traveling, Alabama Football and Bible study.
Survivors include wife, Barbara; son, Joel of Huntsville; daughter, Debbie Hall (Richard) of Harvest; grandchildren, Marianne Hall Goodlin (Ryan) and David Hall (Chandra); great-grandchildren, Caeli Hall and Thomas Goodlin; brother, Wilmer Patrick Reaves (Kathy) of Las Vegas, NV; cousins, Ann Buttram of Texas, Jerry Reaves of Gadsden and Anne Rae Powers of Anniston; six nieces and one nephew.
A graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Maple Hill Cemetery with Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, 120 Green Street, Huntsville, AL.
Joe was a great and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed.
