Dewitt Kent Reeves

Dewitt Kent Reeves was born November 22, 1945. The youngest of six brothers, he was a 5th generation Leon County, Florida, resident. He got a good start in life by weighing in at 14.5 pounds and continued to be a larger-than-life presence in the lives of many. He met Martie Huggins at Cobb Junior High. Martie, who was 14, was not allowed to date, so they spent a lot of time at her home where he brought many friends to hang out. In 1964, they eloped to Thomasville, Georgia when she was 16 and he was 18. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 1, 2024.

An avid sportsman, Kent was a hunter, fisherman, football player, and softball player. The Tallahassee Democrat named Kent “one of the big boppers” because of the many homeruns he hit. He was a member of the Chaires Horsemen’s Association where he and Martie enjoyed trail rides with the group. At the age of 17, he joined the Marines and spent 10 years in the reserves during the Vietnam era. His tank battalion was put on standby 3 times but never deployed. Being a proud American and a Marine were always prominent in his life.

Kent worked as a local and state-wide truck driver and later retired from the Florida Institute of CPA’s, where he worked in support services. Kent loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of First Christian Church for many years, where he served as a youth leader, deacon and elder.

Kent spent much time with all his grandkids and loved his family unconditionally. He invented a game for all the younger nieces and nephews and our kids when they would get too rowdy at family gatherings. It was called “Sit down and shut up” and took place on the Martie’s parent’s front porch. The kids loved it and begged to play. Being the youngest son, he was like an older brother to the nieces and nephews on his side of the family. He and his great-grandson, Benton, spent many days together watching train and other videos on the computer, sitting on the front porch shooting “Big Foot,” and singing “Country Roads" by John Denver.

Kent was predeceased by his father Mahoney Reeves, mother Bertha Evelyn Gray Reeves, five older brothers, Malcolm, Don, Melvin, Jerry and Murray and several nieces and nephews.

Kent is survived by his wife, Martha (Martie) Huggins Reeves; three children--Steven Sr. (Stephanie), Kelley, and Matthew (Arabella); six grandchildren--Heather, Rachel, Holly, Steven Jr. (Kristen), Hunter, and Ariella; and one great-grandson, Benton.

Just before Kent’s passing on August 27, 2024, he was surrounded by many friends and family. Five-year-old Benton hugged him and said, “I love you Papa and I’m going to miss you. I hope you have fun in heaven.”

Services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church (where his grandfather preached) 5875 New Hope Church Road, on Saturday, September 7, at 2:00 PM. Casual dress. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Pavilion at Lake Talquin Park for a potluck dinner and a time to share stories and pictures.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers or Samaritan’s Purse.

"Life is tough. Life is tougher if you're stupid!" -John Wayne