Melvin Reeves
In loving memory of Reverend Melvin Dewaine Reeves, Sr., a veteran of the United States Army and the National Guard of Tennessee, who transitioned to his eternal home on Friday, June 10, 2022.
Dewaine was born on Jan. 20, 1937, at home in Fort Payne, Al. In the late 1960s he began preaching the gospel of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as an independent and non-denominational evangelist. During the 1970s he hosted radio broadcasted sermons for WRIP and an occasional televised sermon on Channel 61, where he earned his everlasting nickname, “Preacher Reeves”. By trade, “Preacher” was an iron worker contracted through the Ironworkers Local 704 out of Chattanooga. He was an avid fisherman and enthusiastic outdoorsman spending much of that time with his son, Dee.
As an active member of the community, Dewaine served as president of the Chattanooga Bass Association (CBA) for seven years. During his time with the CBA, he promoted several years of sponsorships and tournament fundraisers for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Make A Wish” Foundation, and public youth “free fishing days”. He also represented recreational water and lake users by collaborating with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in support of clean water and fish habitation initiatives. Working with TVA and TWRA, Chickamauga Lake was taken from a “dead lake” to the number four healthiest largemouth bass stocked and fishable lake in the world.
Preacher Reeves was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carolyn Reeves, his mother, Olena Reeves and father, Melvin Reeves. He leaves behind his four children, Melba (Paul) Estes, Carol (Tom) Keith, Dee (Donna) Reeves and Lora Masengale; grandchildren, Misty Senters, Kimberly Owens, Brandon Wright, Ashley Miller, Hayden Masengale and Mindy Reeves; great-grandchildren, Mecalah, Landon, and Brent Senters, Ian Wright, Aleena and Ambrose Owens, Savanna and Baylee Millsaps; great-great-grandchildren, Naelyi, Callie and Zoie Wheaton. He leaves behind his sister, Patsy Callahan, niece, Earlene Henry and nephew, Donald Callahan.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 14, from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. with funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. in the chapel of the Turner Funeral Home located at 3193 Webb Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416. Officiating the service is Pastor Barry Williams of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Chickamauga, Ga.
Mr. Reeves will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife of 67 years in the Greenwood Cemetery, 1954 Greenwood Road, Chattanooga.
Please share your memories and express condolences atwww.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423-622-3171.