Ada J. Reeves

7/6/1945- 2/29/2012

A long time resident of Merced passed away in her home with her loving family by her side, with the support of Hind's Hospice, following a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer for over a year. She will be remembered most by her generosity, sense of style, and warm heart.

Born in Flint, Michigan to Robert and Gainal Williams, she was known by all as “Jean.” At the age of 12, her family moved from Michigan to California to be closer to family at the culmination of an adventurous, family cross-country summer vacation.

Jean attended Hoover Junior High School and Merced High School. While attending high school, she met Greg Reeves at the Wing’s grocery store on Yosemite Parkway, where he worked. Determined to start their marriage officially when Jean was 17 and Greg was 20, they traveled, accompanied by Jean’s sister Judy, and her husband Ed, to Idaho which was the closest state where they could be legally married on November 2, 1962. The young couple returned to Merced and three years later they welcomed their first child, followed by three more children in six years, which completed their family.

Jean was a dedicated wife and loving mother with a full, busy household of four children. When her youngest went to school, Jean began working at John Muir School as a teacher’s assistant so that she could be home during school breaks for all of the children’s activities. During her 22 year career with the schools, Jean also worked at Hoover and Cruikshank and earned recognition multiple times for being an unsung hero, which truly describes her personality.

Jean was drawn to encouraging women and people to help better themselves. She excelled at selling Mary Kay cosmetics, soon moving into a leadership role as a Mary Kay Director for nearly five years. Jean then found her passion when she began working with Amie Marchini as the Care Coordinator of Mission’s Care Management. Jean was a great leader to her team of up to thirty caregivers who assisted seniors in their own home. She was very supportive and helpful to the clients and their families and she described this work as being the most fulfilling for her.

Some of Jean’s favorite things were spending time with her family, traveling and reading.

In memory of Jean, remembrances may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 301 W. 18th St., Merced, CA 95340 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 1325, Merced, CA 95341.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; Gainal and Robert Williams; her twin daughter, Jana; and nephew, Jason.

Jean is survived by her husband of 49 years, Greg Reeves and their children and grandchildren; Rob and his wife Kim and their children Dane and Ryann, and daughter Chasity and great granddaughter, and Gigi, Jill and her partner Becky, Nicole and her children Jessica, Michael and Riley, Jeremy and his wife Heather and their children Zack, Dylan, and Lucas. Her sister Janis Davis and her husband Roger, Judith Keegan and her husband Ed, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.

The family invites friends to a memorial service at 11am on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, located at Stratford and Evans, 1490 B Street, with reception to follow at Merced Fairgrounds, Sierra Hall, 900 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.