Long Beach lost a great benefactor and many of us lost a close friend with the passing of Thomas L. “Joe” Reeves on November 18, 2002.
           
He and his wife, Lois, moved to Long Beach in 1951.  Joe had accepted a position to teach 8th grade math and science, and to serve as head basketball coach and as assistant football coach.  I was privileged to work with him that year teaching 8th grade English, spelling and home economics.
           
In February, 1952, he was appointed school superintendent and served our city in that capacity until his retirement in 1984, a total of 32 years--longer than any other superintendent in our city’s history.
           
My late husband, Frank Alexander, served as attorney for the school board from 1953 until 1967 when he resigned to become Chancery Judge, Post 2.  He and Mr. Reeves made several trips to the National Education Convention when it met in Atlantic City, New Jersey where Mr. Reeves was always recognized for his outstanding work with the Long Beach Schools.  Under his administration the Long Beach schools were judged in a study performed by the University of Mississippi as the number one public school system in the state.  The quality of our schools was responsible in a large measure for the growth of our city in recent decades.  Families moving to the coast settled in Long Beach because of the reputation of our schools.  The value of real estate increased, new subdivisions materialized, and new schools were built to accommodate the increase in student enrollment.  When Mr. Reeves became superintendent in 1952 there was one school with an enrollment of 356 students and 19 faculty members.  When he retired in 1984, there were 5 schools, a stadium and over 3,200 students.
In 1976, there were 1,440 families involved when the Navy Oceanographic Department moved to Hancock County.  Local school superintendents were flown to Washington, D.C. to meet with the families.  Mr. Reeves prepared a display about our city and assembled information about our schools.  He personally met with representatives of all 1,440 families.  As a result, 600 of the families settled in Long Beach.
        
Also under Mr. Reeves’ administration, the Long Beach School System was the only public school system in Mississippi to voluntarily desegregate all twelve grades in one year.  Details for the desegregation were worked out at a meeting held at the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist church with Mr. Reeves, attorney Frank Alexander, Mrs. Corinne Allen, Principal of Jeff Davis Elementary, and representatives from Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church present.  This voluntary and peaceful integration of schools took place in 1965-1966---a fact that is recorded on the historical plaque recently erected at Mt. Pilgrim Church by the church and our Historical Society. In addition to his work with our schools, Mr. Reeves was also involved in the community.  In 1998, he was named by the Chamber of Commerce as the Aline Doherty Citizen of the Year and was presented a plaque inscribed “In Appreciation of Your Contributions to Our Community.”
           
When our Historical Society dedicated our rebuilt World War II Memorial on the anniversary of V.J. Day, August 15, 1999, Mr. Reeves, a veteran of World War II, was our guest speaker.  He was among those who landed with the Fourth Division on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery and two battle stars for his service in the United States Army during the European Campaign.
           
Joe, like so many veterans had quietly put his wartime experiences behind him. He broke that silence when he spoke at the dedication of our Military Service Memorial on Jeff Davis Avenue, and our society will be forever grateful for his shared memories.  I recall that all of his family was present in order to hear, for the first time, his experiences.  Later, he consented to have his recollections recorded with those of other veterans by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
           
We extend our deepest condolences to his family and our gratitude to God for his service among us. His good deeds will live on after him.