Audrey Harrison Reeves, age 90

Audrey Harrison Reeves, age 90, died on Monday, November 25, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassion for family, music, and caring for others.  Born outside of Hazen on October 21, 1934, Audrey was the third of four children born to James Alfred “Ab” Harrison and Cora Dovie Cunningham Harrison.  She grew up in Prairie, Lonoke, and White counties of Arkansas, graduating from Lonoke High School in 1953.  After graduating, she moved with her friend Judy Clement (Bader) to Little Rock and enrolled in business school, to learn bookkeeping.  She began her career at The Baldwin Company (now Baldwin & Shell Construction).  She joined Gaines Street Baptist Church where she met the love of her life, Byron V. Reeves, and they married on Christmas Eve, 1958.  A year later, after their first daughter was born, they moved to Baton Rouge, and then back to Little Rock in 1964.  They finally made their home in North Little Rock the following year, where they raised their three girls.

Always a singer, Audrey trained under Rece Price to sing opera, and became a member of the Arkansas Opera Theater.  She was active in the Little Rock Musical Coterie and the Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs for over forty years, serving as president of each organization.  Audrey sang for many years with the Arkansas Chamber Singers.  She also served as a board member of Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony in Eureka Springs (now Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point).  Often a soloist, she sang with the choirs of First Baptist (Baton Rouge), Gaines Street Baptist, Olivet Baptist, Levy Baptist, Central Baptist, and Second Presbyterian churches.

Audrey was a quiet woman, but extraordinary in so many ways! She was an immaculate housekeeper, excellent cook and gardener, and she was always willing to help others any time she was needed.  She was also an expert seamstress, making many of her daughters’ clothes as they grew up, and she always supported whatever activities they were involved in.  Audrey excelled at everything she did, but most of all, she was a wonderful and loving mother.

She participated in many church activities and ministries.  She had a special love of visiting homebound senior members of the churches she attended.  After she and Byron joined Second Presbyterian Church in 1989, Audrey served in the Presbyterian Women and Pastoral Care ministries, and served as a deacon.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Byron Vance Reeves; and her brother, Marvin Louis Harrison. She is survived by her three daughters, Kelli Peters (David), Janine Tiner (Jack), and Marla Quimby (Bob); her grandchildren, Tressa Tiner, Bailey Maxson, and Audrey Maxson; step-grandchildren, Austin Quimby (Emily) and Chelsea Quimby; great-grandchildren, Addison, Magnolia, and Hays Quimby; her sisters, Sally Maddox and Clarice Fields; sister-in-law, Dixie Bayse Harrison, as well as many other dear relatives.

Her family would like to thank her caregivers at Maumelle Companion Care, Cheri Lipscomb, RN, Tim Lipscomb, Sheena McDaniel, and Izi Bohanon, as well as Lesle Alston, RN, her nurse at Hospice Home Care, all who made the last year of Audrey’s life so much better.  The family would also like to thank Adele Holmes, who became one of Audrey’s treasured friends.

A memorial service will be held for Audrey at Second Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Prior to the memorial service, a garden service will be held in the church’s columbarium at 10:40 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Rock Musical Coterie, Opera in the Ozarks, or to Second Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400.