Reeves

Mary Elliott Harrell Reeves had been on hospice for six weeks, with both of her daughters and the Hurd family caring for her, when she passed mid-afternoon Monday, April 22 in Highlands. She was born July 3, 1934, in Macon, Ga. to Carolyn Lawton Harrell and Glover Futch Harrell. She was married to her husband, Charles Edward Reeves, for nearly 50 years, and survived him by 21 years, leaving two daughters, Charlotte Marie Reeves Duncan and husband Craig Andrew Duncan, Highlands; Emily Ann Reeves Freeman, Round Top; and sister, Carolyn Harrell Foley-Borré, Burlington, Wy.

Mary also leaves 17 grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Glover F. Harrell (October 1983) and Carolyn Harrell Kilgore (October 2002), and her brother-in-law James V. Foley (September 2018).

Mary received a B.A. in Art from Tulane University (Sophie Newcomb College), in 1956. While raising her daughters and supporting her husband in his work for American Express, Mary variously painted, worked at the Contemporary Art Museum in Dallas, worked as a window dresser for Neiman Marcus, taught crochet classes, worked as a florist for a shop in Houston, and ran her own small business, Floral Keepsakes. In 1979, along with husband Charles, Mary became active in the Round Top community and began her continuous devotion to volunteering for the James Dick Foundation and its International Festival Institute. They loved it so much that they chose to make Round Top their permanent home in 1988.

Her activities and memberships included: Lifetime Member of the Herb Society of America and Founder of the Pioneer Unit; Member, Native Plant Society; Member of the Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston; Member of New Life Methodist Church (formerly First United Methodist Church), La Grange; Member of Colorado Valley Quilt Guild; and frequent attendee at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top.

Mary was a walking encyclopedia of Texas native plants and herbs and worked tirelessly for her membership organizations. Her passions included her family (first and foremost), flowers, plants, creating artistic floral arrangements for varied occasions, quilting, crocheting, and bringing cheer and assistance to those in need in her wide circle of friends.

Her body was given to UTHealth/McGovern Medical School. Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Methodist Church, La Grange. A Celebration of Life will be held at New Life Methodist Church, 1215 N. Von Minden Street, La Grange, on June 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow.