Martha Carmichael Reaves

Martha Carmichael Reaves, 71, lifelong resident of Tippah County and wife of the late Sperry Ellis Reaves, Jr., passed away July 7, 2016 at the North Mississippi Medial Center in Tupelo following a brief illness. Funeral Services honoring the life of Mrs. Reaves will be at 2 PM Sunday, July 10 at First Baptist Church in Ripley with burial in Tippah Memorial Gardens. The daughter of the late John and Pauline Malone Carmichael, Martha was a native of Blue Mountain, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and a long time member of Ripley First Baptist Church. She and her family owned and operated Reaves Restaurant in Ripley for 17 years before retiring from BenchCraft Corporation after 21 years of service as payroll clerk. Martha was an extraordinary lady whose major interest in life was her family. She possessed a "green thumb" and was known for her expertise in growing ferns and african violets. Cooking was her passion at the family restaurant and at home where everyone enjoyed her table and her hospitality. Visitation was held at The Ripley Funeral Home Saturday evening and will continue at First Baptist Church 2 hours before services. She is survived by her children, Janet Morton, Sperry Ellis "Chip" Reaves III and John Reaves (Angel) all of Ripley, her father in law, mentor and man who she considered a second father , Sperry Ellis Reaves, Sr., brother Larry Carmichael (Kathy) of Tallahassee, FL, sisters, Gilda Smith (Joe) of Branson, MO and Celia Forehand (Bill) of Harrison , AR, sister in law, Sherry Tapp (Tommy) of Amory, brother in law, Lonnie Reaves of Ripley, her grandchildren, Mindy Preston (Adam), Kelly Ralph (Kevin), Dylan Morton, Dalton , Lakann, Quade, Anslee Kate, and Laura Beth Reaves, Ashley Grisham-Schoffner (Michael) and Eli Nelms and her great grandchildren , James, True and Liam Preston, Memphis Lacny , Braxton, Ashton and Paislee Schoffner. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul and McDougal Carmichael and a sister, Johnnie Gresham.

The Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reaves Family and invites everyone to sign the guestbook and share memories with Janet, Chip and John.