Uvel Ernest Reaves

UVEL ERNEST REAVES, was born January 30, 1930, in Greenville (Pitt County), North Carolina, son of the late Ernest Reeves and Hattie Lee Jenkins. He departed this life peacefully, at the age of 92, early Thursday, September 22, 2022, at his residence in Severn, Maryland. He was preceded in death by wife Gloria Yvonne Witherspoon-Reaves, daughter Marcia Lanette Foreman, son Quinn Gregory Reaves, Sr. and best friend Mabel Hamilton.

UVEL was fondly known as “Pee Wee” by his mother and his family and friends as “Ernest”, “Ernie”, “Sneaker” and “Papa Smurf”. He received his education in the Pitt County School system in Greenville, North Carolina. At an early age, he joined the Army in 1948, where he later married his wife Gloria of 32 years. Uvel and his family had a chance to see the world while stationed in Germany, Alaska, and South Carolina just to name a few places. He served us proud in the Vietnam War. Uvel served 24 years in the military. After retirement from the military, he briefly worked at Montgomery Wards as an Appliance Technician concentrating on refrigeration. Then served 30 years in HVAC working for the Federal Government in Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland. As Uvel maneuvered himself through the military and government career, he joined social clubs in which were pillars of the community. Following in the footsteps of his father, Uvel became a member of the Masons and Eastern Stars, Maceo Boston Jr. Lodge #145 (served as Chapman) and I.H. Clayborn Consistory #363, both in Columbia, MD. He also became a member of The Retired Enlistment Association (TREA) as the Pass Commander of American Legion #235 of Beltsville, Maryland, and then later transferred his membership to American Legion Post #40.

UVEL enjoyed music, softball and gatherings with friends and family. Above anything else, he enjoyed his mother’s cooking. On any given day, if Hattie was cooking, he was there with a plate to eat. He enjoyed traveling to North Carolina to see his father and his Uncle Quinn (deceased), who he was very fond of. Whenever he was out his neighbors, “The Statesman Street Crew”, (Kathy (John), Betty (Jack), Maria (Nelson (deceased)), Jennifer (Jeff), Denise, Tina, Vera, Bob and David (Catherine)) were there to greet him.

UVEL leaves to cherish his memories: Daughters Peggy Hamilton of Baltimore, MD, Monica Story (Joe, Jr.) of Naples, FL and Natasha Reaves of Waldorf, MD; son Uvell Reaves (Veronica) of Baltimore, MD; God-daughter Vondel Hamilton of Baltimore, MD; special caregivers Gail Burley of Glenn Dale, MD and Parise Haskins of Baltimore, MD; and adopted sisters, Nancy Allen and Marcia Surgeon, both of Severn, MD and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.

A Visitation for Uvel will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at the Maryland Veteran Cemetery Crownsville, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD 21032.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garylkaufmanfuneralhome.com for the Reaves family.