Mary Bernice Harrison Reeves, of Hixson, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020. She celebrated her 100th birthday in June of this year.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Verma and Horace Harrison of Atlanta and her beloved husband, James M. Reeves, Jr.
Bernice has missed her husband every day since he passed in 2002 and was happy to join him for another dance. She passed away peacefully with her sons by her side.
As a young lady in Atlanta, she always dressed in the newest 1930/1940s fashions. She would see a movie or magazine and have her dress maker recreate the dresses the movie stars wore. A highlight of her youth was attending the premier of “Gone with the Wind” at the Fox Theater in Atlanta in 1939.
After she married Jim, she worked for an insurance company in Atlanta where she received several promotions becoming one of the first female floor managers. After her sons were born she became a stay at home mom who loved to play bridge, entertain and cook for family.
In 1970 her husband became vice president of Robinson Manufacturing and the family moved to Dayton, Tn. A few years later they joined several friends from Atlanta and they all bought homes in St. Simon Island, Ga. She and her friends would brave freezing weather to go to the beach and tan. Hers was always the winning tan. They lived in Chattanooga after Mr. Reeves retired.
Bernice is survived by her sons, James M. Reeves, III (Annette), Robert H. Reeves (Melanie); grandchildren, Chris (Dana) Reeves, Spencer (Jessica) Reeves, Lauren Reeves (Matt) Ragghianti, and Bailey Reeves (Chris) Payne; great-grandchildren, Cameron Reeves, J. Hogan and Payne Reeves, and Reeves and Griffin Ragghianti, and special friends Don and Mary Beth Morgan.
Many thanks to the staff at Hixson Lifecare Center who took care of her and treated her with kindness and Hospice of Chattanooga.
Due to Covid a private family celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in her name to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416 or www.hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com