“I don’t want to start nuthin’ . . .but I can’t have a proper funeral.” Those who knew Rev. Doug Reeves are laughing. He put similar posts on Facebook every day. Bro. Doug exchanged time for eternity at UAB hospital Monday, April 13, 2020.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Williams Reeves; daughters Dewana Fountain (Robert) and Dina Reeves; grandsons Douglas and Phillip Eady; step-grandsons Matthew and Jake Fountain; great-granddaughter and delight of his heart Naomi Grace Eady; step great-grandson Will Fountain; beloved sister Kathy Mobley (Denny); a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly; and his faithful dog Ole Man.
He was born Nov. 6, 1944 to W. C. Reeves and Naomi Turner Reeves. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Faye; grandparents Samuel and Leona Denny Turner, and Thomas and Lela Amos Reeves.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 14 years old, and he accepted the call to preach when he was 17. He did the work of an evangelist, had Birmingham and Bessemer jail ministries, and Brother Bryan and Jimmie Hale ministries from 1969-1972. He accepted his first church in 1972, and was a full-time pastor for 44 years. At his retirement, he was pastor of East McFarland Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL. where he served for 29 years.
He loved sharing the gospel and he witnessed to others wherever he went. He had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed entertaining friends. He loved the Bible Lands and made close to twenty trips to the land of Israel and other Bible lands with his close friends, Dr. Donnell and Sandra Brown with Experiencing Bible Lands Tours. He took great delight in introducing others to the Bible Lands.
Doug was a Godly man and a man of prayer. The Doug Reeves one saw in the pulpit was the same man at home and with family and friends. He was well disciplined, a man of integrity, loved people, and gave generously to others. He had an extensive prayer list and prayed daily for each person on the list. He studied his Bible and prepared sermons every week. The call to preach never left him.
Doug was a humorist and could find humor in ordinary and even mundane things. He was a great storyteller and used his humor daily and from the pulpit. He loved to laugh and enjoyed making others laugh. There was always laughter in his home and everywhere he went. His laughter and storytelling will be sorely missed by family and friends.
In December 2018, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and fought it for seventeen months. He suffered greatly, but continued to serve the Lord. During his sickness, he served as interim pastor at South Sauty Baptist church, Langston, AL.
Viewing will be available to family and friends at New Hope #2 Baptist Church Friday, April 17, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Due to the restrictions in place because of the Coronavirus, a limited number of people will be allowed into the church at a time. A private family graveside service will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Moss Service Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers are: James Banks, Douglas Eady, Phillip Eady, Robert Fountain, Dennis Mobley, Jr., and Michael Williams. Honorary pallbearers are: Bibb Medical Center Nursing Home; Dr. Pankit Vachhani, UAB Oncologist, Sharon Perley, R.N., Sara Worth, pharmacist, employees of Kirklin Clinic Infusion Center, employees of UAB Palliative and Comfort Care, Ms. Terri Poe, UAB Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. John Summerford, and Dr. Michael Wilensky.
Several Celebration of Life Services will be announced for a later date. One will be held at East McFarland Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL. and another will be held at Moss Service Funeral Home in Cullman, AL.
In lieu of flowers, you can honor his life and ministry by donating to Gideon’s International to purchase Bibles.
www.gideons.org/donate?scd=covid19
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at www.mossservicefh.com.
