Jeanette Brown Reaves

Jeanette Brown-Reaves was born on October 1, 1946, the beloved daughter of the late Nathan and Earline (Jeter) Brown in the Dawkins Community of Fairfield County, South Carolina. On Saturday, May 9, 2026, she was called home by her Heavenly Father; she took His hand and left this earthly life of sickness, heartache and pain.

Jeanette progressed through the Fairfield County School System, graduating from the "Old" McCory-Liston High School after which she moved with her older sister Helen to New Jersey.

 She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age as a member of Friendship A.M.E. Church in Blair, South Carolina and then later as an adult joined Bethel A.M.E. Church in Madison, New Jersey.

Jeanette married Mr. Jack Reaves in 1990 and gained two stepchildren: the late Jackie Reaves and Jason Reaves (NJ). Though she didn't have children of her own she was dedicated to helping raise her sister Helen's three children Les, Dallas and Monika Lynn; as well as other Nieces and Nephews in her family.

Jeanette was employed by M. Epstein Department Store in Morristown, NJ for nearly 40 years; having started as an Elevator Operator ultimately moving into a Management position within the Central Marketing Department. She also was employed by Beneficial Finance and retired from the Target Corp.

Her life wasn't all work, Jeanette enjoyed a variety of hobbies and activities: her Soap Operas (Day and Evening), Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy, Reading, Word Search Puzzles, a Company Bus trip to the Outlets or Casino, Baking (famous for her Chocolate & Orange Cakes) and most of all hosting New Year's Dinner... “Chitlins and all!”

Jeanette was the last living child of Nathan and Earline, having been proceeded in death by her siblings, Douglas, Dora, Lark, Russell, Martha Lee, Catherine (KT), Helen, Nathaniel and Ralph.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 35 plus years, Jack Reaves; nephews, Les E. (Angie) Brown, Dallas M. (Regina) Brown, Sr.;  niece, Monika L. Brown; brother-in-law, James Free, Sr.;  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; her special lifelong friends, Carrie Lee Gladney-Woodruff (SC), Cora Mae Lyles-Ashford (SC), Alice Nobles (NJ), Frances Jones (NJ), Vergie Watkins (TX) Lessie Clemens (VA) and Denise Gwynn (NJ); all of whom will dearly miss her, but rejoice that she is now resting with the Lord.

Over the years she had many health challenges and shortly after she and Jack moved from New Jersey to Georgia (late 2023) she took ill. Jeanette relocated from the local hospital to the Pruitt Nursing Home in early 2024 and remained there until her passing. Through it all she always kept her faith in God.

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