Augusta Rose Show Dedicated to the memory of Esther Reeves

Millie Reeves won the Dowager Queen Award, which goes to the best rose variety introduced prior to 1867, during the 45th Annual Augusta Rose Show, dedicated to the memory of her mother, Esther Reeves. The rose, Cramoisi Superieur, was cut from Esther Reeves' extensive garden, which still receives much loving care from family members. (Photo contributed)

This year the Augusta Rose Society chose to dedicate its rose show to the memory of one of its most faithful members, Esther Lee Reeves.

Reeves grew up in Millen and lived out her life with her husband, Robert, in Jenkins County. The Reeves became affiliated with the Augusta Rose Society when their daughter, Millie, became an active member.

Reeves attended the monthly meetings and enjoyed participating in the annual rose shows. She worked at the education table and could always be seen wearing a clerk's apron and helping the judges, as they made their rounds of the show. Some of her entries would always find their way to the awards table. Visitors to the shows especially loved her Marechal Neil, the 1864 Noisette with the drooping yellow head.

Sponsors of the rose show stated that Reeves was a beautiful person, like the roses she loved. They also stated that she was a kind, generous and lov- ing wife, mother and friend, and that to eat her cooking, or spend time talking roses with her, was a special treat.

The show, held at the Augusta Mall on Saturday, Oct. 6, was a beautiful tribute to Reeves. Her husband and many family members and friends were on hand for the event.