Joe Max Reeves, age 91 years, of Lake Cherokee, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born on January 7, 1934, in Panola County, Texas, to the late George Buford and Catherine Mae Gunter Reeves. He graduated from Elysian Fields High School with the class of 1953. Joe Max attended Arlington State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1962. He married Nancy Sue Reed on December 29, 1956, at Central Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas and she preceded him in death on December 18, 2008, after almost 52 years together. Joe Max served his country in the U.S. Army during the Lebanon Crisis and was honorably discharged. He worked as a civil engineer for Pennzoil and later owned and operated Reeves Construction Co. until his supposed retirement. After retirement, Joe Max worked for Contractors Supplies and later bought a dump truck to haul rock and gravel for many years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a longtime member of the Pine Tree Lodge #1396. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Reeves was also preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, John Rex and Neva Reeves.

He is survived by his son, Mark Reeves; daughter, Susan Reeves Elzner; sister, Samantha Reeves Pearson; grandchildren, Lauren Smith (Shane), Logan Elzner (Sofi), Brenton Stamper (Amanda), and Brady Reeves; and great-grandchildren, Llano Dean Smith and Jonathan and Lydia Stamper.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ted White officiating with Masonic Rites under the auspices of the Pine Tree Mason Lodge #1396. Interment will follow in Panola Mt. Zion Cemetery in DeBerry, Texas. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Logan Elzner, Brenton Stamper, Brady Reeves, Shane Smith, Scott Reeves, and Jim Reeves.

Mr. Reeves cared for his beloved Nancy through Alzheimer's and the family suggests memorial donations in lieu of flowers be directed to Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or online at www.alz.org.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.