Helena M. Reaves, "Sissy" slipped quietly into a peaceful slumber, making her transition to be with our heavenly Father and to be
one of God's Teachers on Friday, September 23, 2023. Helena was married to the late George W. Reaves, Sr. She was born in
Keyser, West Virginia, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Ruth Moore, Sr.
Sissy was also preceded in death by her husband George W. Reaves, Sr., Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Ruth
Moore; one brother, Arthur Moore, Jr., brothers-in-law, Robert C. Reaves, Sr., William F. Reaves, Sr., John A. Reaves, Sr.,
nephew, William F. Reaves Jr., and sister-in-law, Madeline Reaves.
Sissy was baptized at an early age. She was a graduate of Keyser High School as the first AfricanAmerican to attend the school.
Helena later attended the school. Helena later attended Potomac College (PSC) where she graduated with honors. During her
matriculation at WVS she pledged the Omicron Upsilon Chapter and crossed into Deltaland in 1957 to become a Soror of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
After graduation, she moved to Washington, DC where she attended Howard University and received her Master ofArts, and
married the love of her life, her beloved husband, George W. Reaves, Sr., on July 26, 1958. Of that union they have three (3)
handsome sons, George W. Reaves, Jr., (Tuffy); Shawn A. Reaves, and Kelly C. Reaves.As a devoted wife and mother, she
always provided lasting examples for her children to follow and fostered a legacy of love for family.
Helena began her professional career as a school teacher in DC Public Schools in 1965, enjoying several rewarding years as an
educator.After leaving the school system- she began working for The Washington Times in 1980 until her retirement in 2010. She
enjoyed an exemplary 30-year career recognized across multiple departments and received several awards of achievement
including the Times newspaper's most prestigious Presidential Award.
As Sissy reunites with her love, she leaves to mourn three sons, George Jr., (Pamela), Shawn (Genia), and Kelly (Terry); three
grandchildren, Symone, Hailey, and Hunter; four sisters-in-law, Linda Moore, Dolores R. Wallace, Caroline J. Reaves, and Ruby
C. Reaves; thirteen nieces and nephews; 17 great nieces and nephews; 4 great-great nieces and nephews and a host of relatives
and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at J. F. Bell Funeral Home Chapel, 108 Sixth St. N.W.,
Charlottesville, VA. She will lie in repose at the Chapel one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Union Run Baptist
Church Cemetery, Shadwell, VA.