Mary B. Reeves

Mary Baker Reeves, age 95, died at home on the May River on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, the daughter of Eleanor Richardson and Horace Urban Baker, she graduated from Greenville High School and attended Converse College and the Woman's College of Furman University. She married her sixth-grade sweetheart and love of her life, Jerry Healand Reeves, Ill, in May of 1950.

Mary and Jerry lived in Durham, NC while Jerry completed his degree, sparking a lifelong love of the Duke Blue Devils. They settled in Savannah in 1955 to begin their family which grew to include five sons. In 1960, Mary and Jerry moved to the tiny riverside town of Bluffton, South Carolina, set down roots and raised their boys alongside the May River.

In 1972, Mary and Jerry started Resort Services, Inc., a commercial laundry and linen supply company, with twelve employees and two customers. Working together, the company has grown along with the Lowcountry and is now operated by their five sons. Mary was a full partner in building their business while at the same time rearing five sons. Along with RSI, the Reeves owned and operated the Bluffton Oyster Company for eight years until selling the property to the Beaufort County Open Land Trust.

She welcomed all to her home and was renowned for her gracious hospitality, her selfless love, her brilliant blue eyes, her fondness for animals and her devotion to Pop. She and Jerry were pillars of the Bluffton community which she loved. They were among the first founders of the Historic Bluffton Foundation, were very active in all ministries of The Church of the Cross and were instrumental in establishing the Children's Center in Bluffton. In recognition of her contributions, the former Mayor proclaimed April 30th as Mary Baker Reeves Day. Although her community involvement was an important part of her life, the legacy she leaves that fulfilled her the most is the nurturing of her family and the deep love she had for all- she loved each equally and will always be remembered for that special gift.

Mary, affectionately known by all as Hon, is survived by her five sons and their wives: Jerry IV and Isabella, David and Katherine, Jeff and Kim, Michael and Corinne, Tommy and Connie. Fourteen grandchildren: Jerry V (Kristy), Alston Williamson (Nick), Rhett Bentley (Rob), Lea Stevens (Scott), Aiken (Eloise), Baker (Belen), Keith (Chelsea), Millie Davis (Nelson), Michael, Jr.(Gaby), McNab (Kristen), Ryan (Alexandra), Tommy Jr. (Jessica), Mary Close (Claude), and Harris. Nineteen great-grandchildren and one on the way: Carrie, Anna and Jacob Reeves; Isla and Oliver Williamson; Harris and Simonton Bentley; Rip and Eleanor "Elle" Stevens; Myers Reeves; Savannah Reeves; Addie and Reeves Davis; Pace, Mary Linden, Annie and baby girl Reeves; Thomas Reeves, Ill; Sallie and Reeves Close. She is also survived by her beloved sister and brother-in-law: Thrace and Robert Shirley, of Kuwait City.

The family is most grateful for Mary's care in recent months by Delores Johnson, Lauren Malone and Shelly Vajk. They are true angels.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11 am at The Church of the Cross, 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910. We invite you to wear Hon's favorite color, blue, to celebrate her life. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 5-7 pm at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: The Historic Bluffton Foundation, PO Box 742, Bluffton, SC 29910; The Bluffton Cemetery Preservation Society, PO Box 282, Bluffton, SC 29910; and the Open Land Trust, PO Box 75, Beaufort, SC 29901.

Grieve not…

nor speak of me with tears…

but laugh and talk of me…

as though I were beside you.

I loved you so…

‘twas Heaven here with you.

-Isla Richardson

Bluffton Cemetery Preservation Society
PO Box 282, Bluffton SC 29910

Open Land Trust
PO Box 75, Beaufort SC 29901

Bluffton Historic Foundation
PO Box 742, Bluffton SC 29910