Euphemia Makra Reeves

Euphemia Makra Reeves was born on April 12, 1929, in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa to Jude F. Reeves and Joy Barclay Reeves (the legally adopted daughter of Edwin J. and Euphemia J. Barclay, the 18th president of The Republic of Liberia). Named after her beloved grandmother who she called, “Ganga”, Euphemia was entrusted as an infant to her doting maternal grandparents to be raised as their own. She also had a very close relationship with her biological parents. Sadly, her mother passed away when Euphemia was only seven years old.

Baby Reeves as she was affectionately known, began her primary education very early due to the fact she pitched a fit every time her older cousin was dropped off at school. The nuns at the school made an exception for the three-year-old, who was the president’s daughter, to be formally enrolled in school.

Mischievous by nature, she enjoyed recounting all the tricks she orchestrated and played on the nuns. In her adult life, it was not unusual to find Euphemia visiting “her nuns”, carrying food to them, and them in turn being quite relaxed, and visiting with her at her house.

She continued her formal education but was not comfortable in restrictive traditional settings. Recognizing her unique abilities in working with children, her "Grandpa" and confidant, supported Euphemia’s dream and sent her to Switzerland where she earned a certificate in Montessori education. Euphemia returned to Liberia and opened and successfully ran Liberia’s first Montessori pre-school and kindergarten, Jardin des Enfants.

Euphemia was a visionary and a modern-day woman. She was comfortable in her skin and enjoyed life! She didn’t shy away from an adventure. She traveled extensively, drove custom designed cars, threw the best parties, danced like no one was watching and created, modeled, and set fashion trends. She married twice. She fostered and then had children of her own. She later adopted and fostered more children. Baby Reeves lived an uncommon life. She experienced many highs and many deep hurts but never lost her love for and ability to accept and help people, especially those who were overlooked or disadvantaged in any way. As passionately as Euphemia lived during the first half of her life, was how devotedly she pursued and served God during the second half. Euphemia had a Saul to Paul conversion experience which radically changed her into a diligent student of the Bible and a fervent prayer warrior. Initially rejected by “the brethren” because she was a woman, she worshiped where there was freedom, assisted where accepted, and started a Bible study and prayer group at her house. Euphemia’s anointed prayers, very specific and detailed visions, humbleness, and excellence in service, led to her being recruited to serve in a sister church in Baltimore, Maryland. This led to her immigrating to the United States of America with her children in 1976.

Euphemia soon started a Bible study group, The Upper Room Prayer Garden, which grew into a church which she pastored. She believed one of her greatest accomplishments was incorporating her prayer group and earning the certificate and title Pastor Evangelist Euphemia Reeves. As her church was opened to people of all walks of life, so was her home.

She welcomed, housed, and supported countless number of immigrants, especially individuals and families fleeing from a 1980 Coup D’état which turned into a 25-year civil war in Liberia. Eventually, Euphemia moved her family to Daytona Beach, Florida where she volunteered in a local soup kitchen, welcomed people in her home again, prayed for and counseled hundreds on the telephone, and continued her first love - teaching the Bible. She later moved to Naples, Florida to live with her son.

Euphemia touched many many lives in her ninety-two years of existence. She will be missed by a countless number of people whose lives she touched, but most especially by her 6 children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, those who called her Mom, Aunty, Cousin, Sister,

Godma, and lifelong friends.

"We will hold you in our hearts, Until we can hold you again in Heaven."

Sunafu & Annette, Joy & Ken, Axel, Rebecca, Jebeh, and Larry

A celebration of life for Euphemia will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Hodges Funeral Home At Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave N, Naples, Florida 34108.

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