Leroy reeves, jr. a servant’s homegoing celebration
reverend
april 19, 1946 - july 29, 2016
pastor of center hill baptist church
O Our
UR LIFE’S MESSAGE
life is like a flower, from a little seed it grows.
Whatever will become of it, no human ever knows. It’s fed and nurtured, given love and care; Then as it blossoms, we’re suddenly aware Of just what that life was meant to be, For it now is made plain for all to see. Yes, our life is a message that others will read, And hopefully what’s read will meet some need. So may our morals be high and our character strong, Doing what’s right and avoiding all wrong, For the time is short, it’s fleeting by, And like a flower, we fade and die But the message we leave for all to see, Shall remain forever, through eternity. CONNIE B. BRATCHER
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee; I will ever give to Thee. william williams
ORDER WORSHIP of
Thursday, the Fourth of August, Two Thousand Sixteen 12 Noon Center Hill Baptist Church - 1555 Cedar Avenue - Macon, Georgia 31204 Reverend Doctor I. E. Mack, Officiant Pastor, Unionville Missionary Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia Vice Moderator, Union Baptist Missionary and Education Association of Middle Georgia, Inc. THE PROCESSIONAL
THE HYMN of PRAISE
Clergy and Family Choir and Congregation
THE HOLY WORD OLD TESTAMENT Reverend Christopher Cabiness Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia NEW TESTAMENT Minister Jacoby Hall Center Hill Baptist Church THE INVOCATION
Reverend David Stanley Pastor, Union Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia
THE MUSICAL SELECTION
Center Hill Baptist Church
THE EXPRESSIONS (Please, limit remarks to three minutes) Deacon Charlie Wallace, Chairman Board of Deacons Reverend Edward Dawson, Evangelical Ministers’ Alliance Reverend Theodore Rockmore, Baptist Ministers’ Union THE SOLO “I Won’t Complain”
Brother Carlton Kitchens
THE RESOLUTION Mrs. Jeannette H. Cubbage THE EXPRESSIONS (Please, limit remarks to three minutes) Doctor John Dunaway, Beloved Community Paired Clergy Mrs. Doris Terry, Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows of Macon Reverend Michael Johnson, as a Friend WORDS of COMFORT Reverend Ralph Cherry Pastor, Saint John Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia THE SERMONIC HYMN
Reverend Wayne S. Evans
THE EULOGY Reverend Doctor Walter L. Glover, Jr. Pastor, Greater Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia Moderator, Union Baptist Missionary and Education Association of Middle Georgia, Inc. THE RECESSIONAL THE INTERMENT Macon Memorial Park 3969 Mercer University Drive - Macon, Georgia 31204 THE REPAST Greater Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Glover-Lockett Fellowship Hall - 2656 Napier Avenue - Macon, Georgia 31204
a
Charge
to
keep i have
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. ISAIAH 61:1, KJV Friday afternoon, July 29, 2016, an angel of the Lord came to Reverend Leroy Reeves, Jr, and transitioned him from this life to rest with the saints in his new home –HEAVEN. Without looking back to bid us farewell, he crossed over into a land fairer than day.
L
eroy Reeves, Jr. began his life in Macon, Georgia on April 19, 1946, the youngest and only son of the late Leroy Reeves, Sr., and the late Annie Mae Stroud Reeves. He lived in Macon all of his life. He attended the public schools of Bibb County graduating from Ballard-Hudson Senior High School in 1964. After graduation, he joined the United States Army. He became a global traveler, “seeing the world.” He was employed at Robins Air Force Base and retired after thirty years from the Federal Civil Service System.
Acknowledging the need for Christ in his life at a young age, he united with the Center Hill Baptist Church where his parents were charter members under the pastorate of the late Reverend H. R. Rancifer. He served as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent for sixteen years before being called to preach God’s Word in 1985. In an effort to broaden his scope of knowledge professionally and spiritually, Reverend Reeves completed the Business Administration requirements at Macon Technical Institute earning the Certificate in Business. He received his specialist training from the Military and Federal Civilian Schools. He earned his diploma in Biblical studies from Liberty Bible Institute in Lynchburg, Virginia. Reverend Reeves was considered one of Macon’s most noted pastors with an ability to lead others to Christ; diverse community affiliates; and a leader of many efforts to improve conditions that plagued the Middle Georgia area. Prior to being selected Pastor at Center Hill, he was Pastor of Lizzie Chapel Baptist in Powersville, Georgia for two years. Reverend Reeves was indeed a part of God’s plan, making a difference in the lives of others. Dignity, courage, faith-filled, committed, dedicated, trustworthy, peaceable, loving, kind, patient and humble all describe our beloved pastor, husband, father, grandfather, and brother, The Reverend Leroy Reeves, Jr. At the time of his transition, he was Pastor of the Center Hill Baptist Church. He was committed to the church’s mission of creating a sanctuary of hope, help, and healing. He formerly served as President of the Evangelical Minister’s Alliance of Macon and vicinity; Vice President of the Baptist Minister’s Union; member of the executive board and immediate past Chairman of the First District of Union Baptist Missionary and Education Association of Middle Georgia, Inc.; member of Here’s Life Macon; and member of the Beloved Community Paired Clergy. Despite the many honors, citations and awards for his meritorious service to the church and community, Reverend Reeves will be remembered most as a servant of the Most High God. His legacy is best seen in the hearts and minds of people who have been touched through his ministry and servant leadership. His ultimate accomplishments in life were accepting Christ as his personal Savior; preaching the infallible Word of God; and marrying the love of his life, the former Deloris Chambliss. His life will be remembered and memories cherished by his loving and devoted wife of forty-eight years, Deloris Reeves; two children, Ingrid R. (Robert) Pitts and Kevin (Tammy) Reeves, Sr.; four grandchildren, Christina Pitts, Kevin Reeves, Jr., Kaitlyn Reeves, and PFC Rakim Clowers; one great granddaughter, Jakayla Hairston; four siblings, Annie Frances R. (Robert) Reid, Lillian R. (James, Sr.) Johnson, Catherine R. Huff and Mary Lou R. Hull; one brother-in-law, Clarence (Helen) Chambliss; two sisters-in-law, Juanita (Ellison) Davison, and Vickey Armstrong; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives and friends; and his beloved Center Hill Church Family and co-laborers in the vineyard.
a tribute to
Our Dad
Daddy, You were a great father to us. You were our role model and you set a great example for us in life. Most importantly, you raised us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You followed God’s commands by giving us a foundation in the church so that we were grounded in God’s Word. You were by our side through thick and thin. You were always committed and devoted to our well-being. You taught us right from wrong, how to accept responsibility, and how to challenge ourselves. You helped us to overcome fear and go out into the world to make it for ourselves. You worked hard, long hours to make sure that we had a comfortable and blessed life filled with good opportunities and lots of fun. These things will stay with us forever, and we will never forget what you have done for us. We know that your love for us was foremost in everything and still is. Thank you for guiding us, believing in us, providing for us, and loving us so much. You raised us well, and we are so proud to be your children. We are successful adults today because of your influence in our lives. We will always love and cherish you forever!!!! Ingrid and Kevin
“ And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” JEREMIAH 3:15, KJV
TO THOSE I LOVE AND THOSE WHO LOVE ME When I am gone, release me- let me go, I have so many things to see and do You must not tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy we had so many wonderful years I gave you my love and you can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love each have shown but now it’s time I travel alone. So grieve a while if you must then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while that we must part so bless those memories in your heart. I won’t be far away for life goes on. So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be near, with all my love around you soft and clear. And then when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and say…”Welcome Home”
flower bearers
Granddaughters and Nieces Deaconess and Mothers of Center Hill Baptist Church
active pallbearers nephews Rodney B. Ashley Willie T. Clark Derrick Cummings Jarvis G. Cummings Jeffery Huff Jay Whitney Johnson
honorary pallbearers
deacons of center hill baptist church Deacon Frank Black Deacon Bobby Childers Deacon Brian Colbert Deacon Bruce Colbert Deacon Wynous Hall, Sr. Deacon Richard Howard, Sr. Deacon Glenn Lavender Deacon Timothy Lee Deacon Charlie Wallace THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT The family of Pastor Leroy Reeves, Jr. wishes to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the many expressions of love, kindness and support shown to our family during his illness and our bereavement. It is our prayer that our Heavenly Father will richly bless each of you. Mrs. Deloris Reeves and Family “serving you and those you love with a personal touch” GLOVER MEMORIAL MORTUARY, INCORPORATED | 3241 HOUSTON AVENUE | MACON, GEORGIA 31206
marcs CHRISTOPHER
DESIGN