Jean Daphne Reeves (13 Jan 1938 - 7 Jun 2026)

In loving memory of Jean Daphne Reeves who sadly passed away on 7th June 2026
Jean was born at home in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham on the 13th of January 1938, to Katherine Hudson, known as Kath and originally from farming stock in Herefordshire, and William, know to all as Bill who ran a newsagents.

It must have been a busy and lively household. Jean was the youngest of seven. Preceding her were Ron, Joan, Peggy, Eric, Colin-who sadly died aged just seven, June and then Jean.

Jean was very close to her sisters as well as to her nice Jane who was close in age to her. Little Jean was too young to be evacuated during the war, so endured their house suffering bomb damage. She also has an early memory of being put in an infant gas mask.

After school Jean attended secretarial college where she achieved a shorthand and typing speed of 120 words a minute!. From there she worked for her father’s removal business before joining the civil service.

Jean’s parents were close friends of George and Ethel Reeves. They had a son called Jim. Jim and Jean clearly took a shine to each other, and Jim asked Jean to wite to him while he was away serving with the Coldstream guards.

Jim was sent to Suez for six months, but was also based in London at the Wellington Barracks. While there he was involved in several ceremonial duties including the Trooping of the Colour and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham palace. Jim recalled a young Prince Charles waving at him. After serving his three year term Jim was then called back to go out to Egypt during the Suez Crisis.

Jean and Jim eventually married in June 1958 at St Paul’s church in Birmingham, followed by a honeymoon down in London where Jim was able to show Jean all the sights. However, Jean knew that she’d much rather live closer to home. At first they stayed with Jean’s parents before moving into their own home.

Ten months later the family was completed when baby Phil was born in 1958. I believe we’re going to hear from Phil in a moment what Jean was like as a mum.

In time Jean became a loving Nanny Jean to Hannah and Emily, and later great grandchildren came along too. Lexi, Summer, Freya, Ivy and Fin. Jean had always had a sweet tooth and kept a well-stocked sweetie jar.