Luverne, Alabama, Bids Farewell to Beloved Educator and Community Pillar Mary Jo Tyler Reaves

LUVERNE, Ala. (July 16, 2025) — The tight-knit community of Luverne is mourning the passing of one of its most cherished residents. Mary Jo Tyler Reaves, a woman known for her deep faith, gentle spirit, and lifelong dedication to her family and students, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 82.

Her death has left a profound sense of loss across the town, where she was more than a familiar face—she was a source of comfort, wisdom, and kindness for decades.

A Life Rooted in Love and Service

Born and raised in Crenshaw County, Mary Jo grew up surrounded by the values that would shape her remarkable life—faith, humility, and generosity. She spent her entire life in Luverne, never straying far from the people and places she loved most.

After graduating from Luverne High School in the early 1960s, she pursued a degree in education and returned to her hometown to begin her career as a teacher. For more than 30 years, she served in the Crenshaw County school system, first as a classroom teacher and later as a librarian at Luverne High School. Former students and colleagues remember her as “a steady light”—someone who made school feel like home and learning feel like a joy.

“She had a way of making you feel seen and heard,” one former student recalled. “No matter what you were going through, she had the right words to lift you up.”

Devoted Wife, Mother, and Grandmother

Mary Jo married the love of her life, William “Bill” Reaves, in 1964. Their marriage spanned 55 beautiful years until Bill’s passing in 2019. Together, they raised three children in a household filled with love, faith, music, and memories. Family was at the center of Mary Jo’s world, and she took immense pride in being a mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her three children: Laura Harmon (David), Brian Reaves (Shelly), and Michael Reaves (Amanda); eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her sister, Carolyn Tyler Morgan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Reaves, and her parents, James and Elizabeth Tyler.

A Woman of Faith and Quiet Strength

Beyond her family and career, Mary Jo was a deeply involved member of South Luverne Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and led women’s ministry events for many years. Her faith was not something she spoke about loudly—it was something she lived out every single day.

She was often seen visiting neighbors, delivering meals to sick friends, or sitting quietly in prayer with someone in need. Mary Jo didn’t seek recognition. She simply loved others in a way that made them feel safe, valued, and seen.

A Legacy That Will Not Be Forgotten

Those who knew Mary Jo will remember her warm smile, her unmatched fried chicken and sweet tea, and her front porch full of potted flowers and hummingbird feeders. She loved blue hydrangeas, classic hymns, and curling up with a good book. But more than anything, she loved people—and they loved her back.

“She never judged. She never rushed. She just listened and loved,” said a longtime friend. “That’s what made Mary Jo so special.”

Her family has announced that a public celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 18, at 11:00 a.m. at South Luverne Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. the same morning. Interment will follow at Luverne City Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her late husband.

In lieu of flowers, the Reaves family requests donations be made to South Luverne Baptist Church Youth Ministry or the Luverne Public Library—two causes that Mary Jo championed throughout her life.

A Community in Mourning, But Grateful

Mary Jo Tyler Reaves may no longer walk among us, but her influence will live on through the countless lives she touched. In classrooms, in pews, and around kitchen tables across Luverne, her spirit endures—a reminder of how one person’s quiet love can shape a whole community.

She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.