Mary LuElla Reeves

Early Monday morning October 21, 2019, our beloved sister Mary LuElla Reeves 71, departed this life quietly at her home in New Haven, CT. Mary was born April 7, 1948 to the late William James Sr. and Mary Reaves. She was the second of eight children. As a child, Mary attended Pitts Chapel Church with her parents and siblings where she later became a lifelong member. Mary was a product of the New Haven Public School System. She attended Winchester Elementary School, Lincoln Bassett Junior High, and graduated from Wilber Cross High School in 1965. Upon graduation, Mary began her life’s occupation working in the Aircraft Parts industry. She had an amazing ability of putting things together and seeing how they worked. She loved the challenge that the industry presented to her. Of course, she was soon promoted to the position of Master Linesman where she patiently taught the skill to new workers. Another specialty that Mary had was the automobile. She learned much about the in’s and outs of a car from her beloved father. She spent many days teaching her brothers and sisters how to drive a stickshift car. She believed like her dad that you couldn’t consider yourself a driver until you could drive a stick-shift car. Mary was as comfortable under the hood of a car as she was behind the wheel. It was often said that she knew more about cars than most men. Life with Mary was always an adventure! She loved life and she loved people, and she lived her life to the fullest. She loved to travel, sing and dance. There was a mischievous side to Mary that frequently kept her under the radar of her mom and dad. She liked to be on the go and in the know. Sometimes the “GO!” was met with the parental “NO!” which led to some pretty interesting interactions between her and her parents. She had a love for seafood and music. A vocalist in her own right, Mary liked to spend time listening to rock & roll, R&B and gospel music, etc. Some of her favorite artists were Al Green, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin. Though she never produced music of her own, there are many who would testify that she had a voice equal to the best. She also had a fondness for seafood and would enjoy it every chance she could. Sickness “caught” up with Mary but like everything else in life, it had a hard time keeping her down. She was a fighter and fight she did. Many times it appeared that she was down for the count – but she always got back up. Right until the end of her life, she kept fighting, pushing the boundaries and going beyond man made expectations. Mary again met Jesus through the work of her sisters and friends. Upon reading the word of God one day with her sister she exclaimed, “You made my day!” Her acceptance of Christ as her Savior also made God’s day. Jesus tells us in Luke 15:7 that “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” God rejoices over Mary today.

Mary LuElla Reeves

April 7, 1948 - October 21, 2019