Beloved city employee passes

By Kate McCardell

Published: May 17, 2008

A black ribbon adorned the door at Marianna City Hall Friday. Inside, employees’ eyes were a slight pink from crying, and even the seemingly toughest city workers pressed their lips shut, trying to hold back the sadness.
Somewhere, the ‘irreplaceable’ Frankie Reeves might have been looking upon his friends saying, “Y’all quit crying. I’m alright now,” speculated some of his coworkers.
Reeves, 54, of Grand Ridge, died Thursday. He had been battling cancer for over a year, though his hard work and caring attitude made it hard to notice, said friends.
“Every time you’d see Frank he’d say ‘You need anything? Holler at me if you need anything.’ That was his thing,” said Nadine Long, who works in the city’s public works department.
Reeves was the city’s street and facility maintenance superintendent. He’d worked for the city for over 20 years.
“He was totally dedicated, hardworking and focused,” said Marianna planning and zoning director Kay Dennis, who’s office was transformed from an old jail cell to a large office by Reeves.
Dennis and public works director Joe Richey both said that Reeves’ hard work can be seen in the landscaping, sidewalks and most other projects in the city.
“Frank really set a priority on Riverside and Orange Hill cemeteries. He wanted them to be nice for the families who visited. Especially on Veteran’s Day and other holidays, he made sure those cemeteries were in top condition,” said Richey.
Reeves will be buried at one of the city’s two cemeteries that he worked so hard to maintain.
“Frank could be a pain in the ass, but not in a bad way. He was just hard to keep up with. When he wanted to get something done, he would do it 110 percent,” said Steve McCool, who worked under Reeves’ supervision.
He said Reeves would call a person he liked “a sportin’ good model.”
McCool and coworker Luis Aviles recalled a bridge project that was done in just two days, mostly because Reeves was simply set on getting it done.
Just three days before his death, Reeves could be seen laying ply wood down the main walk of the city hall.
“It was just too much, on Monday he’s here putting down ply wood and then Tuesday he’s coming to work with a machine to help him breathe,” said city hall employee Jackie Bradley, wiping tears form her cheeks.
Reeves’ coworkers had no idea just how sick he was.
“We didn’t know,” several said in unison.
With his usual hard work and charisma, his coworkers were under the impression Reeves was in remission.
But Reeves was getting prepared for what was coming, they said.
“He had this pool kit in his backyard that they’d had for a real long time. Last weekend he built it. On Sunday, he swam in it with his grandkids,” said Bradley.
Reeves learned of his illness about six months after his mother died from cancer.
“When his mom got sick, he’d shaved his head to support her,” said Bradley. “Then he found out he was sick. He had wanted to buy a motorcycle once he retired, but when he found out he was sick he bought one. He loved to ride.”
A member of the Seminole Bass Masters, Reeves also loved bass fishing.
“We used to have tournaments here at the city, but Frank won it every year so we stopped,” laughed Dennis.
Reeves mastered everything he set his sights on, said Richey.
“I sort of recently dumped the city landscaping in his lap and he just took to it like a fish to water. In no time he could list off the scientific names of the plants around town. If you asked him to do something, you knew it would get done,” said Richey.
But Reeves wasn’t only dedicated to his work, his friends and family were his focus.
“Frank was a friend. What can I say other than that? He was honest and always there for you,” said Jack Barwick.
To Luis Aviles, Reeves was family.
“He called me his Little Puerto Rican and I loved him like a brother or a father. He taught me so much and he was always there for me. No one will fill his shoes ... He’ll always be with me,” said Aviles.
Reeves leaves behind his wife Pattie, four daughters, his father, two sisters and eight grandchildren.
Reeves’ family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.
The Reeves family ask that family and friends meet at James & Sikes Funeral Home at 1:15 p.m. Sunday for a procession to Riverside Cemetery.
Graveside funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Riverside Cemetery with Pastor Ray Johnson officiating with at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.