Ralph Elwood Reaves
1933-1999
The Life Of Ralph Reaves
Ralph Elwood Reaves was born on September 16, 1933, in Cooter, Missouri, into a family distinguished by its deep faith and devotion to New Testament Christianity. He was the youngest son of Jimmy Alexander Reaves and Sara Jane Davis Reaves, faithful Christians who raised their children to love God and serve His kingdom. Ralph was baptized into Christ in October 1949 and spent the remainder of his life proclaiming the gospel.
The spiritual heritage that shaped Ralph’s life was remarkable. His father, Jimmy Alexander Reaves (1887–1971), was remembered by family and friends as a humble Christian whose influence extended through multiple generations. Though not widely known throughout the brotherhood, Jimmy Reaves faithfully lived the Christian life and reared a family that became a powerful force for good in the church. All six of his surviving children obeyed the gospel, and several sons became gospel preachers and church leaders. Ralph’s brothers included Grady Conley Reaves (1911-1988), a longtime preacher, Roy Vernon Reaves (1919-1984), an elder in the church, and Melburn Jimmy "M. J." Reaves (1923-2009), who also preached the gospel.
After graduating from Freed-Hardeman College in 1960, Ralph began full-time preaching work. He had previously served four years in the United States Navy (1953–1957), experiences that helped prepare him for a lifetime of service and leadership. On September 7, 1956, he married Bonnie Gower, and together they built a Christian home that would support his decades of evangelistic work. Their children were Patricia Jane Davis, Ralph David (1959-2015), and Susan Elaine (1963-1997). They also had twin boys who died at birth in 1957. Following in the family tradition, his son Ralph David also became a gospel preacher.
Ralph’s preaching career spanned more than four decades and took him to congregations across the eastern and central United States. He began preaching in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1956 while serving in the Navy. Following his graduation from Freed-Hardeman, he moved to Macon, Mississippi, where he began work with the church on June 15, 1960. Seeking further biblical education, he attended David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in the fall of 1961. While in Nashville, he preached for the Green Street Church of Christ from 1962 until moving to Suffolk, Virginia, in 1964.
In 1968, Ralph accepted the work with the Coldwater Church of Christ near Murray, Kentucky. During his nearly four years there, he strengthened the congregation and helped it grow spiritually. In early 1974 he announced his decision to move to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he began working with the Lynn Street Church of Christ on June 1 of that year.
His ministry continued through several congregations, including Acton and Michie, Tennessee; Coldwater in Murray, Kentucky; Lynn Street in Parkersburg, West Virginia; Taylorsville, North Carolina; and Skyline Drive in Ashland, Kentucky. He also attended Parkersburg Community College while laboring in West Virginia. Beyond local congregational work, Ralph conducted gospel meetings throughout the central and eastern United States, participated in mission efforts within the United States, worked extensively in youth camps, and gained experience in both radio and television ministries.
By 1984, Ralph had already established a reputation as a dedicated evangelist, educator, and mission-minded preacher. His work reflected a commitment not only to local congregations but also to broader evangelistic efforts that reached beyond the communities where he lived.
In all, Ralph Reaves devoted forty-two years to preaching the gospel, serving thirteen congregations in eight states. He eventually retired from the Green Forest Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, but retirement did not end his service. He continued preaching for the Church of Christ in Gideon, Missouri, for two additional years.
After an extended illness, Ralph E. Reaves passed from this life on July 19, 1999, at his home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was sixty-five years old. The Gospel Advocate remembered him as a man “devoted to spreading God’s Word,” a fitting summary of a lifetime spent in gospel preaching and Christian service.
He was survived by his wife Bonnie, his daughter Patricia Davis, his son David, and four grandchildren. His legacy endures through the congregations he served, the countless souls influenced by his preaching, and a family whose dedication to Christ extended across several generations.
Ralph Reaves stands as a worthy representative of a family whose faithfulness profoundly influenced the church in the twentieth century. Following the example of his father, Jimmy Alexander Reaves, he dedicated his life to teaching the gospel, strengthening congregations, and helping others follow Christ.
-Scott Harp, 05.30.2026
Reports To The Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, July 28, 1960, p. 476
Gospel Advocate, March 2, 1961, p.142
Gospel Advocate, July 23, 1964, p.479
Suffolk News-Herald, Suffolk, Virginia
Sunday, May 31, 1970, p.19
Directions To Grave
In the SE corner of Missouri is the small town of Malden, in Dunklin County, Missouri. It lies about 30 miles southeast of Poplar Bluff, and about 27 miles west of the Mississippi River. Several of the Reaves family are buried in a family plot near the rear of the Memorial Park Cemetery. The cemetery is located north of Maulden on Hwy. 25. The GPS location below is the actual location of the Reaves family plot.
GPS Location
36°34'49.1"N 89°58'08.8"W
36.580308,-89.969108
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Memorial Park Cemetery
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REAVES
Infant Son Of Charles And Pat
December 6, 1981
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REAVES
Martha M. - August 20, 1917 - December 4, 2015
Charles A. - September 30, 1915 - August 29, 1969
Married June 6, 1936
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REAVES
Charles M. - January 1, 1949 - August 26, 2003
Pat R. -
Married -August 17, 1971
In God We Trust
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REAVES
Dorothy E. - June 23, 1924 - July 16, 2010
M. J. - August 25, 1923 - December 18, 2009
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REAVES
Bonnie R. - December 11, 1930 - January 20, 2015
Ralph E. - September 16, 1933 - July 19, 1999
In My Father's House Are Many Mansions
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Photos Taken 05.08.2025
Webpage Produced 05.30.2026
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Special Recognition: It was my pleasure to visit the graves of Ralph & Bonnie Reaves while visiting the great state of Missouri in May 2025. I was there for the week preaching a gospel meeting for the South Hwy. 5 church of Christ in Lebanon, Missouri. During the days I traveled through the area of southern and central Missouri locating graves of many great preachers of yesteryear.