Marjorie Louise Harris Reaves

Marjorie Louise Harris Reaves, 91, reaped her heavenly reward on Thursday September 5 surrounded by family. She was born on September 8, 1932, to Dorman and Beulah Harris in New Ross, Indiana. She graduated from high school in 1950 and then moved to Indianapolis. She attended two years at Jordan Conservatory School of Music with a major in voice and two minors in saxophone and piano.

Everyone who knew her was touched by her love of music and her gift of a beautiful voice. She sang her first solo at age 4 standing on a picnic table singing Elmer’s Tune. She continued sharing her talent at church, weddings, funerals, and special events. She placed second at the Indiana State Competition and entertained at Camp Atterbury close to Indianapolis.

She met her husband, Henry, at a square dance that she did not want to attend, but her parents had met him and wanted her to do the same. Guess you could call it an arranged marriage, as they fell in love immediately and married in her parents’ home on June 28, 1952.

When Henry graduated from Chiropractic School, they looked for places to live and settled in Newton, NC in 1954. They had three children and became integrated into the community. They joined Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ in Conover where she started a cherub choir for 3- and 4-year-olds. The women of the church made robes for them. She was a Sunday school teacher for different classes. Henry and she taught a teenagers’ class and later taught a class for young married couples.

She started and directed The Young Folk Choir. Jeanne Michael, Terra Wise and her daughter, Debbie, were choir members and gave a concert at Newton Conover Junior High School as well as a Christmas concert at Grace Reformed Church in Newton. The Newton radio station recorded it to play on Christmas Day. Pauletta Pearson (now wife of Denzel Washington) played and sang for that concert. Mother recognized Pauletta’s talent and said she would go on to “make it big.”

Her involvement in the community included leadership in the NC School Parent Teacher Association, organizing craft projects and being a classroom parent for her children’s classes, and a member of the Conover Service League (President for three years).

Henry and she were members of First United Methodist Church in Conover for several years and formed lasting friendships while there. She enjoyed being involved in many activities and classes.

Cooking for her family and friends was one of her greatest joys. She preferred home cooked meals for family celebrations instead of dining in a restaurant. She was famous for her yeast rolls that brought high donations at fundraising events. She loved passing on her cooking skills to her children and grandchildren.

Marjorie loved life and was fearless when it came to trying new experiences. At 70 years old, she joined a dance class and performed at Ann Freeman’s Dance Academy Recital at Lenoir Rhyne College. She checked off one of her bucket list items at 75 years old when she took a hot air balloon ride. Her two daughters happily chose their brother to experience this with her. She went air gliding over the Pacific Ocean while visiting Hawaii.

She celebrated life to the fullest, which was evidenced by her every-occasion-outfits to commemorate holidays or special occasions. She would love everyone knowing that she loved people and was most happy when she could help make someone else happy. Her home was always open for fellowship.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Dr. Henry L. Reaves and grandson, Drew Spencer.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Deborah Spencer (husband, Dale) of Bethlehem, Ray Reaves (wife, Peggy) of Newton, Melonie Humphries (husband, Bryan) of Staunton, Virginia. Six grandchildren Diana Spencer (Laine Cloninger), Dominik Mehler (Amrei) of Munich, Germany, Kelsey Reaves (Christian Traxler), Landon Reaves, Heather Williams, Christan Mahieu (Yoann), Ashton Humphries (Anna), 10 Great grandchildren, her caregivers: Deborah Mullins, Rick and Cindy Alejandro, her beloved church community, and everyone who called her Mom.

She will be greatly missed, as she was a blessing to many.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Trinity United Church of Christ from 11am to 12:15pm.

A Funeral Service for Marjorie will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 12:30pm at Trinity United Church of Christ at 12:30pm with Revered Peggy Stout officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ: Trinity OutReach Committee, 217 Second Avenue NE Conover, NC 28613 or to Carolina Caring Catawba Valley Hospice House 3975 Robinson Rd, Bldg 3, Suite A Newton, NC 28658.

Condolences may be sent to the Reaves family at www.drumfh-conover.com.

The Reaves family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.