Dorothy Jean “Dot” LaVoice Reeves
Dot Reeves, 88, joined the heavenly chorus of angels on July 6, 2017. Born July 31, 1928 to Mae & Earl LaVoice of Foreman, AR, Dot was the second of their four children raised on the LaVoice family’s Red River farm. After graduating from Foreman High School, Dot attended the University of Arkansas where she mastered the art of “calling the hogs” and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Dot met William Lamar “Bill” Reeves at the University, and they married on September 3, 1950. After a short time in Memphis, Dot and Bill moved to Texarkana where she was a homemaker, caregiver and community volunteer and he was a founding partner of Grier, Reeves, & Lawley, PC. Dot and Bill became parents of one daughter, Julie Reeves.
Dot joined St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on January 29, 1956 where she sang soprano in the choir, led the Faith Bible Class, and served St. Luke’s completely. She was a member of United Methodist Women (UMW), carrying a special love for the Christmas Bazaar and serving as its President, as well as a former President of the Texarkana District of UMW. Dot taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and supported St. Luke’s youth and members. She was known to “drop off a church bulletin at your door or in the mail” if you happened to miss Sunday service. She most loved visiting those who were in the nursing home or home bound, taking communion to them regularly.
Dot prided herself in her kitchen, known especially for her homemade potato salad, pimento cheese, fudge, peanut brittle, hello dollies, and famous sourdough “big” bread. She demonstrated actively her love for children, serving as “homeroom mother” and receiving a lifetime honor as a “PTA” volunteer for her work at Spring Lake Park Elementary School, Pine Street Junior High, and Texas High School. Of all her volunteer activities in Texarkana, she cherished deeply her 12 years serving as Girl Scout Leader of Troop 181, a troop from the former Texarkana Conifer Area Council of Girl Scouts.
Dot is preceded in death by her husband Bill, sister Joan LaVoice Trimble, brother Don C. LaVoice, brother-in-law Bob Reeves, and brother-in-law Jim Reeves and his wife Reba.
Dot is survived by her daughter, Julie and her life partner Meg O’Malley of Dallas, brother and sister-in-law, Clark & Martha Dell LaVoice of Ashdown, sister-in-law Dian LaVoice and life partner Hart Jeanis of Texarkana, sister-in-law Ruth Reeves of Camden, cousin Thom Hendricks of Fargo, lifelong friend of the LaVoice family, Willie Mae Smith of Ashdown, friend and long-time caregiver Katie Harris of Texarkana and special friends Bonnie Johnston, Billie Culver, and all of her beloved St. Luke’s family. Known as “Aunt Jeanie, Aunt Dot, and Aunt Jeanie Dot”, she held a profound love for her 12 nieces and 5 nephews. She is survived by them, their spouses and families: Joanette Trimble Underhill, Janey Trimble Vinci, Porter Trimble, Donnie LaVoice, Lori LaVoice, Leann LaVoice Byrd, JoAnn LaVoice Traw, Ray LaVoice, Lana LaVoice Grounds, Marla LaVoice, Ann Reeves, Mary Reeves Keahey, Linda Reeves, Laura Reeves Toeller, Jim Reeves, John Reeves, and Becky Reeves Belcher. Dot’s special bond with her great niece Allison LaVoice Mears and great, great nephew Lawson Mears blessed her final years with joy and laughter, playing Dot’s piano, making gingerbread houses and dyeing Easter eggs.
A celebration of Dot’s life will be held at St. Luke’s UMC, 3501 Main Street, on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 1 pm, followed by a reception after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Texarkana, TX or to the charity of your choice.