Longtime lawmaker Reaves dies

Published 11:49 pm Monday, April 2, 2007

VALDOSTA — A longtime state lawmaker remembered fondly for his work in promoting agricultural research passed away Monday in Quitman.

Henry Lee Reaves, 87, had been retired since 2000.

Reaves was first elected to the Georgia General Assembly as a representative in 1963. Through his legislative career he represented Brooks, Lowndes, Thomas and Echols counties and served with seven governors, beginning with Gov. Carl Sanders.

A cattle farmer, Reaves recognized the need for agricultural facilities, technical support and research. He served on the House Agricultural Committee for 32 years, with more than 20 of those years spent as chairman.

When he was inducted into the Georgia Hall of Fame in 1998, Reaves was lauded for his tireless championing of Georgia agricultural:

“ … Mr. Reaves’ support of the (University of Georgia) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has never wavered. He played a vital role in building the Comprehensive Agricultural Livestock and Poultry Facility and Veterinary

Diagnostic Lab in Athens, the Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement building in Griffin and the Bull Test Station and Plant Pathology Lab in Tifton, as well as the National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry and many other facilities. He pushed through the authorizing legislation that began the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and brought cotton back as a major cash crop in Georgia.”

Reaves also was inducted into the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 1987 and had received the Friend of the Farmer Award in 1992 from the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation.

Organizations that had honored Reaves included 4-H and the Future Farmers of America, as well as the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, the National Vocational Ag Teachers Association and the Georgia Pork Producers.

Reaves retired from Norfolk Southern Railways Public Affairs Department specializing in agriculture issues.

He also served as an pilot in the European Theatre during World War II.

He was a member of the Elks Club, the Rotary Club and the Farm Bureau.

Reaves is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances Barker Reaves of Quitman; a daughter, Joan Antoinette Reaves of Quitman; and a son, Henry Lee Reaves Jr. of Cairo.

Funeral services for Reaves will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church of Quitman.