James Thomas Reaves

JAMES THOMAS REAVES, age 90, of 9014 McGhee’s Mill Road, Semora, NC, passed away Tuesday morning, June 9, 2026 at his home.  Mr. Reaves was born April 26, 1936 in Person County, NC, son of the late Jesse & Nomie Solomon Reaves.  He was a retired farmer and also enjoyed carpentry work, and was a member of McGhee’s Mill Baptist Church.

James enjoyed working, coon hunting with his Red Bone Coon Hounds, tending to his flowers, eating at Taco Bell, going to church, and spending time with his family.

Surviving are four children, Jesse Reaves, Weldon Reaves & wife, Alicia, Pastor Frankie Reaves & wife, Teresa, Judy R. Carr, eight grandchildren, Jessica Reaves, Lauren Reaves, Christy Reaves, Krystal Perry & husband, Eddie, Shana Koretz, Hannah Reaves, Rebecca Carswell & husband, Ethan, Christian Tatum & wife, Caylee, step-daughter, Catherine Long & husband, Doug, six step-grandchildren, Sammy Roach, Jr., Jennifer Roach, Cindy Roach, Amy Clayton, Amanda Clayton, Michelle Hayes, fourteen great-grandchildren and one on the way (Asher Lee Carswell), five sisters, Thelma Jones, Bessie Rowland, Dean Pettiford & husband, Robert, Carolyn Bowman, Judy Thaxton & husband, Jack, and a host of nieces & nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Reaves is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Connie Childress Reaves, two grandchildren, Roxanne Reaves, Austin Long, siblings, Louise Bowes, Alvis Reaves, son-in-law, Mitch Carr, and three step-children, Kaylene Clayton, Steve Roach, and Sammy Roach, Sr. 

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026 at McGhee’s Mill Baptist Church with his son, Pastor Frankie Reaves officiating.  Entombment will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends and guests from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026 at the church and other times at the home.  

Pallbearers will be Ethan Carswell, Arnie Foster, Ronnie Long, William Long, Buddy Shore, and Ridge Walker.  Honorary pallbearers will be, Bobby Barwick, Michael Lewis, Louis Newton, and Donnie Oldham.

Flowers are acceptable or memorial gifts may be made to McGhee’s Mill Baptist Church, 9000 McGhee’s Mill Road, Semora, NC 27343.

Arrangements are by Strickland and Jones Memorial Funeral Services, 1810 Durham Road, Roxboro, NC 27573. Online condolences may be made at stricklandandjonesfs.com.

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