Authurene Shaw Reaves was born on Sunday, February 13, 1927, in Newton, Mississippi to the late Makeva and Fred Shaw.

She transitioned from this earth into eternal life on Sunday, January 25, 2026, after a brief illness.

Authurene was the sixth of ten siblings including in birth order: LV Shaw, Magnolia Kennedy-Price, Clara Reaves, Charles Shaw (aka: Honey Frank), Willie Ruth Shaw followed by Authurene Reaves then Christine Fraley, Eva Odella Cook, Robert Allen Shaw and James Edward Shaw, all of whom predeceased her.

"Aunt Authurene" was known to her numerous nieces and nephews and was affectionately known as "Renie" by her many close friends and associates. She relocated to Brotmanville, New Jersey during her teenage years.  During this period of her life, she was lovingly nurtured and guided by her older sister Clara who was married and raising her family. Authurene went on to complete her secondary education, graduating from Vineland High School in June 1945.

Authurene gave her life to Christ at an early age and became a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Brotmanville, NJ, where she faithfully served and continued an unbroken affiliation for more than 80 years.

Authurene met and married 'the love of her life', Henry Reaves, Jr who was part of an already established family in the community.  Her marriage to Henry would be the start of a marvelous journey together, ultimately becoming one of the town's "power couples"; a union that would last 56 years until Henry's passing in November 2003.  From this marriage were born two children, Harriet and Larry.

Never one to sit on the 'sidelines' of life, Renie was a wife and mother while adding to the family income.  She pursued her passion for sewing.  Renie had a long career as a talented and sought after seamstress.  She worked at several clothing factories in the Vineland-Bridgeton area including Major Clothing, Landis Park and Crown Clothing.  While at Landis Park, she and her sister Clara were known to produce a flawless product, and manufacturers would submit bids for Government contracts if they were part of the production team. She was also employed by DeRossi & Sons, a clothing manufacturing company where she became one of their star seamstresses.  Authurene, together with her neighborhood friend and cousin Sara Reaves were selected as the most skilled workers to manufacture military combat uniforms and dress uniforms for the U.S. Armed Services under Federal Government contracts. After a number of years of gainful employment there, an auto accident severely injured her leg bringing that chapter of her professional seamstress life to a close. She would eventually go on to craft custom-designed dresses and gowns from her home for those who sought her out, drawn by the exceptional skill and creativity she demonstrated for many years thereafter.

Renie, being Renie, made a decisive turn to re-career. In her 50's, she sought and obtained a college degree in social work. This led her to a new career with the Vineland Developmental Center as a classroom teacher, a profession she continued and mastered for many years until her retirement.

During this same time period, Authurene became known for her homebased catalog sales business for Popular Club, a national catalog sales corporation. It was a labor of love and profit as she was forever a "people person" with a joy of life that was unstoppable. The high standard for work that she established for herself was also the same standard she would demand whenever a workman or handyman stepped into her home to install, repair or replace electrical, structural or plumbing systems. "Mrs. Reaves" immediately became "the foreman" overseeing the job and letting each professional know one or two better ways to do the job she was paying them to do.  Strange as it was, she often seemed to know what she was talking about!  That was Renie!

Her numerous friends throughout her life were a testimony to the personal magnetism she radiated, which seemed to naturally draw people to her, far and wide. All this, while being a loving wife to Henry and an adoring mom to Harriet and Larry throughout the years. She was a loving grandmother to her 3 grandchildren, Lawrence, Philp (Kumaol) and Alicia and a beloved great-grandmother to Kyelle and Isaiah.

Known and recognized for her wit, intelligence and insight, Authurene established a lasting legacy with countless friends and acquaintances over the years for the fun family times and memorable life experiences they shared.

Throughout Authurene's life she seemed to so well represent the legendary generations of women that successfully sustained Black American households and communities throughout the history of the United States. She was an inspiration to many.

In addition to her membership and devotion to Friendship Baptist Church, she was active in several civic organizations throughout the decades of her life which included: Garden State Elks Lodge. She and Henry were among the founding charter members of the 1534, Henrietta Woodard Temple 1169 in Brotmanville, New Jersey where she later served as a Daughter Ruler; Eastern Star; The Red Hatters; Club Entre Nous and The 5-0 Club.

Renie's light-hearted spirit of joy and fidelity sustained her active participation in these civic organizations.  She was known for her memorable quotes.  When asked about the secret to her long and happy life, she would smile and say: "Stay near the Cross; surround yourself with young people; and drink a little scotch or wine every now and then". Authurene leaves to cherish her memory:  her daughter Harriet (formerly of Essex County, NJ, now of Brotmanville); her son Larry, his wife Phyllis A. Charleston-Reaves of Williamstown, NJ; three grandchildren, Lawrence C. Reaves of West Deptford, NJ; Philip H. Reaves ( his wife Kumaol) of Medford, NJ, and Alicia M. Reaves of Burlington, NJ, two great-grandchildren, Kyelle E. Reaves-King and Isaiah Gadaa Reaves, both of whom affectionately called her "Gigi"; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins other relatives and numerous friends.

Authurene's life was a confirmation of her favorite scripture:

"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again."  Ecclesiastes 11:1