Barbara A. Reeves

Barbara Reeves was born on June 4, 1942, in New York and died early on Friday, September 7, 2018. Barbara was an English teacher for many years before moving to Michigan and making it her home. She became a secretary in the College of Education at Michigan State University in 1974, where she remained (with several promotions) until she was elected president of the Clerical-Technical Union of MSU.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, October 27, at the Clerical-Technical Union building, 2990 East Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing (northeast corner of Lake Lansing and Hagadorn Rds.), from 1 until 5 p.m. For more details, contact the Clerical-Technical Union of MSU at 517-355-1903. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ingham County Animal Shelter and Animal Food Bank.

Barbara had many stories about her earlier career as a teacher. She delighted in the fact that she taught at the rival school of the one memorialized in the movie, Remember the Titans.

During her time working at MSU, Barbara was an active and honored employee, participating in many fundraisers and causes. She organized campus blood drives and held many used book sales at Erickson Hall, donating the proceeds to worthy causes. She was a recipient of the MSU President’s Community Service Award. She definitely was an avid Spartan and bled “Green and White.” She loved MSU basketball and was an active “backetsville” participant. And she loved baseball, even the Detroit Tigers.

Barbara was active in her union, CTU of MSU. Shortly after the union was founded in 1974, Barbara was elected treasurer. She became president for the first time in 1977 and served until 1981. Barbara returned to CTU leadership when she was elected to an executive board director position. In 1988, she stepped forward to help coordinate picket lines during the union’s successful 1988 strike. She was elected president again in 1999 and stepped down when she retired in 2004. Throughout these years, she was active in Red Cross blood drives, clothing drives and numerous projects to assist the community. She received the Outstanding Labor Participation Award from the Red Cross in 1995 and a community service award. Her sisters and brothers in the labor community will miss her greatly.

In retirement, Barbara stayed active. Always an avid bridge player, she kept playing cards with friends and in area bridge clubs. She worked at Regency Group Insurance, and she continued her work to help others. She coordinated and assisted the Meridian Township Recycling drives, winning the Tri-County Waste Reduction Award in 2008. She also supported the Ingham County Animal Shelter.

Barbara’s parents died when she was young and she did not have siblings. She is survived by her devoted friend and housemate Edith Loomis and several pets. She will be missed by the friends for whom she cared so much. Barbara was a generous and wise woman, a leader who mentored many, and a friend who was always ready to lend a hand.

A memorial services will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Clerical-Technical Union building, 2990 East Lake Lansing Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. For more details, contact the Clerical-Technical Union of MSU at 517-355-1903. In liru of flwers, donation can be made to the Ingham County Animal Shelter and Animal Food Bank in memory of Barbara.