A TRIBUTE TO MARYLUE FELICIA REEVES:
Our mother, memtor and friend
By Mydea Reeves-Karpeh

Life, for me, has been incredibly interesting, painful and joyful in so many different ways. Throughout our lives, we are fortunate to meet many different individuals of powerful persuasion, many of whom are females: some are girls, some are ladies and some are...not. Only once in a while, or rarely, are we blessed to meet a truly GREAT woman, such as Marylue Felicia Reeves.

She was an exceptional mother, mentor, and friend to me and hundreds of other people privileged to know and love her. Over the years, Marylue Reeves has been the glue that has held our families together; and, in fact, she drove some of us to success.

She had a deep and sympathetic concern for her children, students, friends, and neighbors. We can all tell stories of her friendly acts: some with clear advice in our moment of perplexity, some sharing of joy, and some flash of humor that played upon a period of dreary routine. Tom Brokaw says, "It is easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference." I can tell you that Marylue Felicia Reeves has absolutely made a difference in so many ways. I have learned so much from her over the years of my life, that it is inconceivable to tell it all.

Marylue Reeves was the very definition of everything that most of us would like to become: she had dignity, intelligence, grace, wisdom, poise, kindness, strength, and patience. She exhibited all of these attributes not only towards her five biological children, but also to all her other "children" who sometimes, no doubt, gave her quite a headache. She never tired. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and friend. She touched many lives and was always a giving person to anyone in need. Just think about how she would make a dress to wear on that special occasion and how you would look like a beauty queen. Marylue was honest, generous, meek, and frank. Like many others, she was there for me during the good and bad times, and helped me through some bad times. What can you say about a woman who gave so much to so many?

She opened her home and heart to me in need of a safe place to live and became my parent when I lost both of my parents six months apart. I do believe it takes a special person with compassion, understanding, and love to help children that are not your own for whatever reason. Not all people can do that. It certainly takes a special caregiver; she was essentially on call at all times for many of us. Not only did she have her own children to take care of, but she opened her home to me and took care of my needs, which included medical care. She never failed to take me to whatever appointments I had with medical personnel in addition to caring for her own children and her sick husband.

My hat goes off to Marylue Felicia Reeves. She provided safety, healing, and compassion to all children in her care. I want to personally thank her for what she did for me and countless others. Her job required that she be ready in an instant. She welcomed each child, as best as she could, from the moment the child was placed in her care. I believe that all her help given to me can never be forgotten. I gained so much from her, from the tangible items to the invisible ones, such as the love and experiences she shared with me. She had this keen sense of being able to recognize special interests that children had and helped them to reach for the stars. She was very strong-willed and passionate about things she believed in, especially education. Therefore, she kept telling me I could go back to the University of Liberia and graduate in three and a half years with honors after being ill and dropping out of school in my first semester.

In her efforts to overcome the odds stacked against children about not only surviving in the world intact but thriving in it, she sacrificially gave me my second family. She dedicated her time to pushing young women to accomplish their goals as well as using their full potentials in all spheres of life. Marylue taught us to cook, bake and to sew. She taught us family values.

When I came to live with Marylue Reeves and her children they were all so gracious and welcoming. I was grateful and happy to be a part of this big family. She never made me feel like an outsider. She celebrated the birth of my child, with just as much excitement as I imagine she celebrated every other grandchild before and after. So, today, I continue celebrating this amazing woman who raised 5 children, endured the sudden death of her husband, and brought up a social worker, medical doctor, lawyer, accountant and business entrepreneur. A woman who has embraced the truth that love transcends can die peacefully knowing she made a difference not only in the lives of her biological children, but also her "other children". She opened her heart to a young girl and made me feel like a part of her family. Neither judgmental nor preaching perfection, Marylue Reeves positioned me for life by believing in me, encouraging me, strengthening me. She taught me patience and positivism. I remember her exemplary character. She was always there standing by me in the good times and during the storms. Her shoulders were always there for us to cry on even when we did not make the high mark she expected of us. Her empathy and kindness are two of her finest qualities. I was totally supported by her.

Marylue Felicia Reeves had an unselfish spirit and was always thinking of others rather than herself. Her kind heart and gentle spirit will leave lasting memories. She kept her priorities in order. Her first priority was to love and serve God. She never wavered on that virtue and cornerstone all the days of her life. She ordered her life around that belief in God and self. Her relationship with God was intimate and she would study and meditate by the hour, plumbing the depths of God's Word and seeking to know Him. How thankful I was to have had such a fine example of integrity, of service, of kindness, and of dedication to the Ministry. She made sure to walk us up to accept Christ; we were baptized and joined the Providence Baptist Church where she worshipped.

In the wake of such a legacy which time can never rob, we give God thanks for the marks she left on our character and the wholesome habits she has woven into the fabric of our flesh. She gave us her best and expected the best from us. She made us wise and live as sacrificial investments or "integrity stocks". Most of the dividends were unknown and unclaimed until we became productive citizens not only in Liberia but in the world. How many of us find ourselves richly endowed by her life.

I will always remember Marylue Felicia Reeves. I will miss her dearly and she will forever hold a special place in my heart. Our hearts are heavy with grief for the loss of our dear Mom. We all loved her so much. Thank God for her influence in my life. May light perpetual shine upon her till we meet.

Gratefully always,
Mydea Reeves-Karpeh