Betty (Hamilton) Reaves

Betty Jean Reaves passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 in Portsmouth at Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice. She was born August 28, 1943 to the late James and Margaret Desmore Hamilton. Betty was a Christian who loved The Lord Jesus, and of the Pentecostal faith. She was well known in the Portsmouth area as a songbird, using her gift of singing to be a blessing to many down through the years. Betty sang along with her sister, the late Deloris Hamilton who played the piano, and sister Cynthia Greene, becoming known as "The Hamilton Sisters". Betty was once offered a music contract by Capital Records which she turned down, because she only wanted to sing gospel music to the glory of God. She graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1961.

Betty was married to her husband George Reaves who passed away on June 28, 2020 for 56 years. They relocated from Portsmouth to Columbus in 1977 where they raised their five children. She attended The Ohio State University where she worked in The Black Studies Department as an administrative assistant and attended classes. Betty's love for Jesus Christ gave her the empowerment needed to be a committed, loving wife, and mother who taught her children about the love of Jesus Christ.

Her ability to operate as an employee, student and still find the time to get involved with the community, as well as international interests are unprecedented.

She made sure that her family was a part of the historical March On Washington in 1983, to help make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have a national holiday.

An abbreviated listing of Betty's volunteering efforts consist Purpose Magazine, an inspirational magazine based in Columbus, Ohio and Hands Across America. Her dedication and concern expanded globally, as she volunteered many hours to the organization, Coalition Against Apartheid in South Africa.

Betty is now taking her eternal rest, and we will see her again one day. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

She is preceded in death by her brother Charles Horton Sr. (Barbara), a brother Harold Horton Sr., a brother Donald L. Horton Sr. (Joan), a sister Deloris Hamilton and a brother Tommy Hamilton (Michelle).

Surviving is her brother James Hamilton, Jr., her sister Cynthia (Hugh Jr.) Greene, her children Keith Reaves, Kecia (Leonard Jr.) McAdoo, Tina Reaves, Erica Reaves, Portia (Mark) Williams, nine grandchildren, Carmen (Charles) Lindsay, Leonard McAdoo, III, Joshua (Shanteal) McAdoo, Jori Williams, Pajah Williams, Micah Williams, Lauren Onderko, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

A private viewing and graveside services were held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 under direction of Melcher Hammer Funeral Home and officiated by Bishop Harold Bell of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Services concluded with a repast held at Portsmouth Inner-City Development Corporation by Miss Jeanette Langford.

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