On Sunday March 19th 2023, humanity's wealth was greatly diminished with the withdrawal of a precious treasure, Shirley Lee Renegar Reaves. God deposited her into the home of her parents, Roy Lee Renegar and Martha Christine Bedford Renegar on March 24th 1936 in Shelbyville, Tennessee. She was their only child but was included in a large family of grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins who all took part in raising Shirley to become a beautiful young lady. Reflected physically but even more so inwardly. She lovingly entered the home of her Aunt Frances and Uncle PeeWee Sexton when she was a teenager because she had lost the presence of both her parents. Shirley became the big sister to her cousins Jimmy and Johnny. A tight knit family unit, she was greatly missed when she went to Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1954.
During new student orientation she met a young man named Carl Edward Reaves Jr and his heart was immediately captured at the sight of her beauty. He made sure they ate breakfast lunch and dinner together in the cafeteria. When he asked her out for a date she said yes and they went to see a Billy Graham Crusade movie. It sparked a desire within both of them to pursue ministry efforts for the Kingdom of God here on earth. They taught Sunday School classes for children at Corbo Tibb Mission, a small church nearby their college campus. Shirley had never taught from the Bible before but it became a lifelong passion that extended throughout her almost 87 years. On Valentine's Day in 1955, Carl, known as Eddie, asked her to marry him. They wed on June 2nd 1955, almost 67 years ago. Once married, they left Tennessee that summer and lived with Eddie's parents for a short time before moving to Miami, Florida to settle down and raise their family. They welcomed Sharon Kay in 1957, Carl Edward 3 in 1960, and Robert John in 1962. Their family joined Gateway Baptist Church in 1967 where Eddie and Shirley continued to teach Bible classes for all ages, Eddie was a deacon, and Shirley became the Librarian.
They served at Gateway for many decades. Shirley was a homemaker who nurtured and supported her children as they grew up and also became the neighborhood at-home Mom for the kids whose parents worked outside their homes. Having touched the lives of so many, Shirley became a mentor, friend and sister in relationships that lasted until her final breath. She was in the company of family in her home when she passed through the door of this world and was escorted by Jesus into her Heavenly Home to live out Eternity.
Shirley is survived by her husband Eddie and their three children Sharon Kay Kemp, Carl Edward 3, and Robert John. Her grandchildren are Michelle Yvonne Kemp Zanon, Stephanie Gwen Kemp Feustel, Angela Christin Reaves Harari, Tara Elizabeth Reaves Katz, and Matthew Vincent Reaves. Her great grandchildren are Euphemia Rin Feustel, Bradley Charles Kemp Zanon, Tobias Law Feustel, Abigail Ann Harari, Ella Charlotte Harari, and recently born Jackson Micah Hunter Zanon. Though Shirley is no longer physically with us, her spirit will live forever in our hearts. We love you still and always will. Enjoy the Peace you so greatly deserve. (Proverbs 31:28)
In lieu of flowers, Shirley's family has requested that donations be made to Gateway Baptist Church in her memory. Address is 6500 SW 97th Avenue, Miami, FL 33173. Phone number is 786-810-5331. Thank you.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 1:45 PM at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South, 11655 SW 117 Ave, Miami, Florida 33186. Following the visitation will be a burial at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Park South, 11655 SW 117 Ave, Miami, Florida 33186.
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