Sue Johnston Reeves

At the risk of understatement, Sue Reeves is a formidable human. Her Birthday was November 24, 1956. She’s one of five children born to Clayton Stanley Johnston and Joan Crumpton Johnston of Edgewater, Alabama. Sue graduated Minor High School, class of 1975. She is survived by Kay Gardner, Jean Hollingsworth (Rick), Margie Womble (Art), and Paul Johnston (Edie). In high school, she was an award-winning typist. She launched her career as the office manager at General Adjustment Bureau (GAB). She was a substitute teacher at Hueytown Elementary School. She produced craft shows in her basement with her friend Maryanne Ryals, sending out invitations via PTO meetings and grocery store bulletin boards. She created dozens of intricate needlepoints which have adorned the walls of her home for decades. She was a Sunday School teacher, the Children’s Church Director, and organized countless Vacation Bible Schools, including one overseas in Cyprus. She started a cleaning business called Sue Reeves Domestic Engineering. She made cookies and cakes for events and private clients through en endeavor she called Mom’s Cookies. She catered the famous open houses at Hut Stuff Gift and Gallery. She cooked Wednesday night suppers at North Highlands Baptist Church where hundreds of people paid about $5 for a meat and three, which included a dessert and as much sweet tea as you could possibly drink. She put herself through school not once, but twice. She was a medical transcriptionist, and for the last 15 years of her career, she worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s in Birmingham. She loved “playing in the dirt,” quilting, and was a burgeoning potter, creating planters and bird houses with expert precision. But the thing she loved most was being a wife, mom, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of forty-five years, Jesse L. Reeves. The were faithful members of North Highlands Baptist Church for thirty-one years before moving to Grace Life Baptist Church. Jesse will be the first to tell you that the best thing that ever happened to him was marrying Sue. They complimented each other like biscuits and gravy. Both incredible on their own, but indescribably magical when combined. Jesse supported Sue as a loving husband, and Sue cared for Jesse as a loving wife. An example of love that will stand the test of time. Sue is survived by her oldest son, Jason Bowman, his wife Jill, and their daughter Adasyn. Jason inherited the best that Sue had to offer. His faith is a bulwark of his community, a similarity to Sue that is so apparent it’s impossible to deny. Sue taught Jason to trust in the Lord and seek His guidance. Jason is now a life-long minister, pastoring churches and serving communities across the Southeast. His calling isn’t always easy, so it’s a blessing that he also inherited Sue’s unwavering work ethic. Even when times were tough, Sue put in the effort to accomplish her goals, and Jason has followed suit, working alongside community to bring glory to God. Sue is survived by her second son, Glynn Reeves, his wife Pornpimon “Boom”, and their children Winter and Wayla. Glynn also inherited the best of Sue. Reserved at times, Sue’s presence was never overbearing, but quietly moved mountains. Glynn is the same way, not loudly proclaiming himself in rooms, but emanating a spirit of helpfulness and acts of service that shift people to gratitude. Sue wasn’t an extrovert, and neither is Glynn, but they both wielded the power of introversion to create safe spaces for the people around them. This isn’t easy! Sue was incomparably creative, working with her hands to craft beautiful art and with her heart to craft spiritual connections. Glynn is upholding that part of her legacy. Sue is survived by her third son, Jonathan Reeves, his wife Laura, and their children, Hudson and Nora. Sue was allergic to boredom. She wasn’t the type to sit still. Jonathan isn’t either. She packed lunches for her kids every single day of their entire school careers, she attended every sporting event, cub scouts meeting, and school party (often with Jesse in tow). Jonathan is that kind of father. Sue was the model parent, the mold from which all good moms are made. Jonathan learned how to be a parent from the very best. But it’s not just Sue’s attention to her children that made her a good parent. It was the sense of humor she employed that got her through the difficult moments and made the good ones great. Jonathan is the funniest human alive, a trait he undeniably learned from Sue. Like Sue, Jonathan exercises his ability to love his children while balancing all that life throws at him with a delightful levity. Their approaches should be studied, and while their impact may never be justly measured, it should be examined as a means to a better humanity. Sue is survived by her youngest child, Jordan Guillen-Reeves, and their husband, Luis Guillen-Reeves. Sue is the consummate caregiver. Her hands are soft and gentle when giving love to those in need, and hard as diamonds when protecting others from harm. Jordan is the same way. Whether nursing or serving the community, Sue rolled up her sleeves to make people feel seen and heard. Jordan learned that from her and applied it in their work as a community advocate and nonprofit leader. Sue made her home, her church, and her community better and Jordan is following in her footsteps. Sue is survived by Her grandkids, Adasyn, Hudson, Winter, Nora, and Wayla, who are exceptional in their own right. Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, musicians, community catalysts, and all around beautiful souls, they take after their Yaya in ways both apparent and yet to unfold. That’s the legacy of Sue. Together with Jesse, they have carved a little piece of heaven here on earth. A true manifested vision of God’s perfect plan. The doctors gave her two years to live, but she lived much longer. She was always defying expectations. Through it all, Sue worked harder than anyone could, but sheer determination was not her life’s determining factor. It was God’s plan that she left us on December 19th at 11:57 pm. The Bible describes the moment of death as the spirit returning to God, with believers finding immediate presence with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," pointing to eternal life in God's presence for the faithful. Sue’s life has touched countless people of all ages. Her hope was always to please God. And in pursuit of that hope, she made the world feel more like home for all of us. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Grace Life Baptist Church Children’s Ministry or Children’s of Alabama. https://yourgracelife.com/give https://www.childrensal.org/foundation/ways-give Memorial Service at Grace Life Baptist Church (5911 Old Tuscaloosa Hwy, McCalla, AL 35111) on Saturday, December 27th at 1 pm. The service will be followed by visitation with the family. Please come as you are. No need for formal attire.

Sue Johnston Reeves

November 24, 1956 - December 19, 2025