Person Page 2,718

Findagrave #111836831

From Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Blivins:

"James Miller Reeves, Jr. was buried in the Peter Miller Reeves Cemetery in Johnson City. For many years his widow, Ola Boyd Reeves, kept the entire cemetery in beautiful condition. She was a talented gardener. After her health no longer made this possible she had his body moved to Monte Vista Burial Park."

From Tracy DeVault: "The old family cemetery became a tangle of growth, with broken stones. We visited it in 1984 and could not even locate some of the markers. In 1986 Elsie Reeves Sell learned the sheriff and a crew of jail inmates were restoring old cemeteries. She arranged to have this one cared for. The improvement was dramatic, and it has been kept in good condition."

"From Elsie, ca 1983: Clipping "about part of our land being a race path which extended down to some Cox property. When I grew up, we had this field which joins the Mall next to N. Roan St., that we always called the 'race path field.' ... Andrew Jackson was one who had raced on it as well as other notables." The Peter Range house "was Bill's birthplace. His parents went to housekeeping there and all the children were born there. Bill was next to the youngest of six children ,and they lived there until he was about six years old. His mother was the one who wrote some of the things about the house. One was the date of a record cold spell."

Obituary -- Abilene Reporter News, Abilene, Texas; Monday, 29 JUL 1968, page 10A (Ancestry.com):

Mrs. Stevens Succumbs

Mrs. Horace B. Stevens, an Abilene resident for 44 years, died at 8:15 a.m. Monday in St. Ann Hospital.

Funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in North's Memorial Chapel.

Mrs. Stevens was born in Johnson City, Tenn., and married Horace B. Stevens there June 16, 1910. They moved to Mexia, then to Abilene in 1924.  He operated Allison-Stevens Motor Co. until he retired in 1939.

She was a member of St. Paul Methodist Church, Abilene Women's Club and New Ideal Sewing Club.

Survivors include her husband of 742 Ross; one daughter, Mrs. W. C. Couch of Georgetown; one brother, Fred Reeves of 1318 Ross; one sister, Mrs. Akard Sell of Johnson City, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Steve and Ann Payton Couch, both of Dallas, and Beth Couch of Georgetown.

Notes for CLARA BORING REEVES (via Tracy DeVault):

The 1920 Census showed that Fred DeVault Reeves and brother-in-law, Horace B. Stevens, were both in the retail grocery business and their families were living in the same house.

The Comet; Johnson City, Tennessee; 30 SEP 1909, Image 12 (Website: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov)

WEDDING RECEPTION AT AUSTIN SPRINGS

Mrs. William DeVault gave a most elegant and charming reception at her beautiful home on the Watauga on Thursday afternoon in honor of her son's bride, Mrs. A. Beverly DeVault. The hours were from three to four and from five to seven.

The guests were welcomed in the hall by Mrs. E. S. Kendrick, in a toilette of black lace over taffeta, and Miss Ella McNeil, who wore a dainty white lingerie with trimmings of baby Irish lace.

In the receiving line were Mrs. William V. DeVault, Mrs. A. Beverly DeVault, Mr. James Newby, a brother of the bride, and Mrs. Hugh Hill.

Mrs. William DeVault wore a gown of green messaline with trimmings of old rose and cream lace.

Mrs. Beverly DeVault wore her bridal gown of handsome white satin, hand-embroidered with pearl and diamond ornaments, and Mrs. Hugh Hill appeared in black spangled net.

The parlor, library and hall were decorated in golden rod, the color scheme being yellow and white, artistically entwined from the chandelier in the dining-room to the four corners of the table, was soft, white tulle, on which were innumerable small yellow hearts suspended from white ribbons. On the center of the table resting on an exquisite lace center-piece, was a bowl of bride's roses. Mrs. A. J. Tyler, who served in the dining-room, wore a black net dress over satin and was assisted by Misses Clara Reeves, Lois Reeves and Claude DeVault, who wore dresses of yellow crepe de chine with white and gold lace.

Miss Eula Lee Kendrick, in a costume of green messaline, ushered the guests into the dining-room and from there to the library, where coffee and hot chocolate were served by Mrs. Samuel Browder and Mrs. E. A. Long. Out in the spacious circle of the wide veranda, Mrs. James Martin and Mrs. Robert DeVault served grape punch from a bowl decorated with bunches of purple grapes and green foliage.

A charming little rustic picture was given out on the lawn under the spreading oaks. A table, from which was served luscious watermelons and sweet cider, was presided over by Mr. William DeVault, Judge A. J. Tyler, Capt. A. S. McNeil and Dr. F. B. Hannah.

Note:    Some of the people mentioned in the above article are:

Mrs. William DeVault: Barbara E. (Higginbotham) DeVault (1861 - 1932), daughter of Reese Bowen Higginbotham and Louise Jame Emmons. At the time of this reception, Barbara was second wife of William Valentine DeVault. She would later marry William's cousin, George Valentine DeVault.

Mrs. A. Beverly DeVault: Amelia Elizabeth (Newby) DeVault (1887 - 1973), daughter of Cyrus Newby and Anna Catherine "Kitty" Herron. Amelia had just married Albert Beverly "Beverly" DeVault,

Mrs. E. S. Kendrick: Mary Elfrida (DeVault) Kendrick (1861 - 19??), daughter of George Henry "Henry" DeVault and Emily Seraphina Berry. Mary was the wife of Everett Stuart Kendrick.

Miss Clara Reeves: Clara Boring Reeves (1884 - 1968), daughter of George Alexander "Fred" Reeves and Addie May Boring. Clara would later marry Horace Bishop Stevens.

Miss Lois Reeves: Mary Lois "Lois" Reeves (1886 - 1911), daughter of Isaac Edward Reeves and Mary Malinda Dosser. Lois never married. She died just over two years after this reception was given.

Miss Claude DeVault: Claude DeVault (1886 - 1966), daughter of James Miller DeVault and Addie Belle Hickman. Claude would later marry John Lee Hughlett.

Miss Eula Lee Kendrick: Eula Lee Kendrick (1888 - 1959), daughter of Everett Stuart Kendrick and Mary Elfrida DeVault. Eula would later marry Conley Earl "Earl" Ball.

Mrs. Samuel Browder: Elizabeth Miller "Bettie" (Paterson) Browder (1875 - 1925), daughter of Newton Alexander Patterson and Mary Susan "Sue" Reeves. Bettie was married to Samuel Lonzo Browder.

Mrs. Robert DeVault: Osceola (Walton) DeVault (1883 - 1928), daughter of Elijah Powell Walton and Arrispa Gaines Jewell. Osceola was married to Robert Drew DeVault.

Mr. William DeVault: William Valentine DeVault (1846 - 1916), son of Jacob DeVault and Elizabeth Jane Clark.

Dr. F. B. Hannah: Ferrell Bratcher Hannah, Jr. (1876 - 1932), son of Andrew Johnson Hannah and India Annie O'Brian. Ferrell was a relative of the DeVaults through the Hannah family. He knew George Valentine DeVault. Both lived in Umatilla, Lake County, Florida. In census records and many genealogies, Ferrell is shown as the son of Andrew and India Hannah.    Ferrell Bratcher Hannah, Sr. was Andrew Hannah's brother. It appears that he was not the father of Ferrell Bratcher Hannah, Jr. Both Ferrell Bratcher Hannahs were dentists.

Obituary -- Abilene Reporter News, Abilene, Texas; Sunday, 26 Oct 1969; page 3A column 1; (Ancestry.com):

Fred Reeves   

Fred D. Reeves, 79, of 1318 Ross, died at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in Hendrick Memorial Hospital.

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Kiker-Warren Chapel with Dr. Frank D. Charlton, pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will include L. T. Tidwell, John Day Jr., J. S. Owen, Marshall Turnbull, R. R. Rice, John B. Lathum and Larry Freeman.

Mr. Reeves was born April 8, 1890, in Johnson City, Tenn., and married Elizabeth Boring July 26, 1936 in Pecos (sic). She preceded him in death in 1962.

Mr. Reeves came to Abilene in 1923 from Mexia and operated Reeves Grocery for many years. The past several years he had worked for the Mr. M. store on    Buffalo Gap Rd. He was a World War I veteran and a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Excell Bible class.

Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Akard Sell of Johnson City, Tenn.; one niece, Mrs. W. C. Crouch of Georgetown; one nephew, Reeves Graybill of Washington D.C.

NOTE: Elizabeth Boring was Fred's mother, not his wife.

Obituary -- Johnson City Press-Chronicle, Johnson City, Tennessee; 28 MAR 1951:

EDWARD EARL REEVES -

Edward Earl Reeves, 55, member of a pioneer Washington County family, died unexpectedly early yesterday morning at his home on Knob Creek road.

He was the son of the late George and Addie Boring Reeves. Five generations have resided in the old Reeves homestead on Knob Creek road.

Death was attributed to heart attack.

Survivors are the wife, Mrs. Rhea Miller Reeves; three sisters, Mrs. W. V. Graybeal of Washington, D.C., Mrs. H. B. Stevens of Abilene, Texas, and Mrs. Akard Sell of Knob Creed road; two brothers, Fred R. Reeves of Abilene, Texas and William H. Reeves of Knob Creek road.

Funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at the home of the brother, William H. Reeves, Knob Creek road. Dr. W. R. Rigell, the Rev. Fred Strouth and the Rev. Charles Miller will officiate. Burial will be in the Monte Vista Burial Park.

Obituary -- Abilene Reporter News, Abilene, Texas; Thursday, 5 JUL 1962; page 10-B column 3; (Ancestry.com):

Rites For Brother Of Two Here Held

Funeral for William Heyward Reeves, 57, brother of two Abilenians, was held Wednesday at the ancestral family home in Johnson City, Tenn., and burial was in the family cemetery.

Mr. Reeves, a businessman with diversified interests, died at the home early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack.

He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Horace Stevens of 742 Ross Ave.; and a brother, Fred D. Reeves of 1318 Ross Ave.

He was a descendant on his mother's side of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, his sister said.

Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins note to Tracy Devault:

Alice had an operation and radiation treatments the spring or summer (1989) for a malignant tumor high up in her nose. She had a hip replacement the summer before. She had surgery in the summer of 1991 for a large malignant intestinal tumor. Alice died of cancer 1 Jun 1996. She had been in declining health for quite awhile, and in late 1995 was suffering with a severe attack of shingles.

Her husband, Akard, was in and out of the hospital. He was getting around part of the time; his mind was much worse; he had Parkinson's, thought to be beyond knowing anyone.

The Sell's new house was built on top of a high hill; they had moved into it in the summer of 1989. The old one was going down, but there were rumors it might be moved elsewhere. (It was sold to the state to make way for a highway.)

OBITUARY - Johnson City Press, Johnson City, Tennessee; June 2, 1996:

MRS. ALICE SELL

Mrs. Alice Sell, 85, 4003 Bristol Highway, died Saturday, June 1, 1996 at her residence.

She was a lifelong resident and a daughter of the late George A. and Lulie Heyward Reeves.

Mrs. Sell was a homemaker. She was a member of Snow Memorial Baptist Church.

Mrs. Sell was preceded in death by her husband, Akard Sell, one brother, three half brothers and two half sisters.

Survivors include a son, Heyward Sell, Johnson City; two daughters, Jane Johnson, Winter Springs, Fla., and Susan Wheeler, Gray; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE -    Johnson City Press, Johnson City, Tennessee; June 2, 1996:

MORRIS-BAKER FUNERAL HOME

Alice Sell

Funeral services for Alice Sell, 85, 4003 Bristol Highway, who died Saturday, will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in the South Chapel of Morris-Baker Funeral Home with Rev. John Perkins and the Rev. Ira Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow graveside services at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Monte Vista Burial Park. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends will assemble at the gravesite by 9:50 a.m. Tuesday. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Special appreciation is given to the caregivers, who were also her friends, from Superior Services. Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City.