Funeral services for Paul Jones Reeves, 93, of Cornelia are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 21, 2019, at Cornelia United Methodist Church, with Dr. Shirley Wright and Reverend Billy Burrell officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Church following the funeral service. A private family burial will be held at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest prior to the service.
Mr. Reeves passed away at home on July 18, 2019, surrounded by family and caregivers.
Born on December 15, 1925, in Clarkesville, GA, he was the son of the late Francis Marion and Hester Ayers Reeves, the youngest of 8 children. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Reeves Mathis of Gainesville GA, and five brothers and two sisters.
A child of the Great Depression, his earliest work experience was formed when his father, a banker, accepted a position as Cashier of First National Bank of Cornelia. At the age of 12, young Paul would rise early to make sure the bank was clean and warm before his school day began.
Shortly after his 17th birthday, he joined the U. S. Navy and served with the 5th Amphibious Corp in Saipan during World War II. He returned home in 1946 and began his hardware business career by managing his brother’s hardware store in Highlands NC.
Later in 1946, he returned to Cornelia and in short order met and married the love of his life, Doris Elder, and started Habersham Hardware with his brothers. The original store was located in a small 25 x 50 building and had 5 employees, including his new bride who became his bookkeeper and business partner for the next 66 years.
He and Doris began their family the next year, eventually welcoming four daughters. As their family grew, the business also grew, eventually expanding to another store in Clarkesville and employing over 100 people at its peak.
Mr. Reeves was a longtime member of Cornelia United Methodist Church, where he held many leadership positions. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, where he had begun his career as a janitor, eventually serving for many years as Chairman of the Board. When First National Bank of Gainesville purchased the local bank, he also served on their Board of Directors.
He was a member of the Rotary Club, Cornelia Optimist Club, and was a member of the Cornelia Masonic Lodge #92 F&AM for 69 years. He also served as a Trustee of Piedmont College for many years. In 2015, he was inducted into the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Mr. Reeves is survived by his wife of 72 years, Doris Elder Reeves, three daughters and sons-in-law: Dianne and Lewis Cody and Susie and Keith York of Cornelia and Linda and Henry DeWitt of Athens GA. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Robin (Rob) Orvin of Mandeville LA, Brentt (Heather) Cody and Jake York of Cornelia, Kelly (Morgan) Lee and Katie (Matt) Dubnik of Gainesville GA, Austin (Kelly) York of Savannah GA, Ben (Megan) DeWitt of Kansas City MO, Betsy DeWitt of Tallahassee FL, Emily (Nate) Fleckenstein of Nashville TN, and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude for the wonderful love and care provided by his caregivers: Brenda Allen, Renee Long, Carolyn Hall, Velvet McFalls, Desirae Zonner, Julia Rautenberg, Sherrie Frye, Rachelle Waaser and Carol Allen. We also thank PruittHealth Hospice for the care and attention provided in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reeves Benevolence Fund, care of North Georgia Community Foundation, 615 F Oak Street, Suite 1300, Gainesville, GA 30501 (or by visiting www.ngcf.org/donate). Contributions to the fund will be used to assist people in need in Habersham County.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel, Demorest Georgia.
