Rev. Eldon Reeves

OPELOUSAS- Funeral services for Rev. Eldon W. Reeves will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Pentecostal Church of Opelousas. Rev. Reeves, age 89, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas. Pastor Anthony Polotzola, of First United Pentecostal Church of Opelousas, and Rev. Keving Cox will officiate the service.

Rev. Reeves was born September 26, 1935, to the union of Rev. Virgil and Hesper Reeves. He grew up in a preacher’s home as the eldest of eight children and began preaching at age 16. After high school, he attended LSU in Baton Rouge where he met and married the love of his life, Johnnie Joyce Hoyt. Shortly after they wed, they moved to Minnesota where he attended Apostolic Bible Institute (ABI). He served in multiple ministry roles at various churches in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. He went on to pastor churches in Sour Lake, TX, Pinehurst, TX, and Kansas City, MO. In September 1969, he was elected pastor of First United Pentecostal Church of Opelousas where he remained as honorary Bishop until his death.

Rev. Reeves was a licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) for 70 years. He was active in the Louisiana District UPC where he served as a presbyter and editor of the Louisiana Challenger publication. He championed young ministers by inviting them to preach revivals in Opelousas. He supported home and foreign missions financially and traveled abroad to preach conferences and teach in Bible schools. In 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UPCI.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his sons, Byron Reeves (Markay) and Barry Reeves (Rhonda); grandchildren, Tiger, Connor Watson (Emelie), Craig Watson (Ruby), Masi Romero (Jason), and Hylie Bergeaux; great grandchildren, Colton, Ella, Hudson, Austin, Hampton, Cecilia, and Silas; siblings, Rev. David Reeves (Ina), Harmon Reeves, Francis Reeves, Elizabeth Goleman (Freddy), and Rev. James Reeves (Veronica); and sisters-in-law, Elaine Reeves and Danita Reeves.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Johnnie Joyce Reeves; parents, Rev. Virgil and Hesper Reeves; daughter, Pegi Hoyt; granddaughter, Ayla Bergeaux; brothers, Charles Reeves and Johnnie Fred Reeves; and sister-in-law, Louise Reeves.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and will continue from 9:00 a.m. until service time, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at First United Pentecostal Church of Opelousas (1437 Judson Walsh Dr., Opelousas, LA).

Pallbearers will be Byron Reeves, Barry Reeves, Jason Romero, Richard Reeves, Todd Goleman, Raymond Sam, and Norman Robertson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Hudson Romero, Austin Romero, Hampton Romero.

Rev. Reeves’ family would like to thank Sharon Bihm and Betty Deville for their kindness and compassionate care.

The family’s preferred florist is Judy Green of Judy’s Flower Basket in Breaux Bridge, LA. The phone numbers for your convenience are: Florist shop (337) 332-5595 and Judy’s cell (337) 257-8619.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.