Valerie Sylvester Reeves, 82, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 4, 2023, at her residence with her family at her side.

Valerie was a native and longtime resident of Lake Charles and the granddaughter of A.A. Nelson, longtime director of the Port of Lake Charles. Was a graduate of Lake Charles High School and served as valedictorian of her class. While at Lake Charles High School, she participated in the well-known Kiltie marching group and was one of the flag bearers. After graduation, she attended Louisiana Tech and graduated from McNeese State College (now McNeese State University) with a degree in education. She was a member of Chi Omega and PEO sorority. Valerie dedicated 46 years in public education in Louisiana and Texas, 34 years in the classroom and 12 years as a student counselor, all while earning her Master’s +30 designation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Huebert and Marjorie Leigh Nelson-Sylvester and her brother, Lee Sylvester. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Stephanie Kelley Rhodes, Lake Charles; grandson, Nicholas Rhodes, Boulder Colorado University; her husband, Jay Reeves; three step children that she loved and they considered their mother, Allen, Lynn and Renee Barnes, all of Lake Charles; siblings, (twins) Charles Sylvester, Greenwell Springs, LA and Charlotte Sylvester-Park, Medford, Oregon and Marcus Sylvester, Griffen, GA; numerous nieces, nephews, former students and family of the heart.

A gathering of family and friends will be on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a celebration of life to begin at 6:00 PM.

Valerie was well known for bringing joy to everyone she knew and loved. She was dedicated to her students as both a classroom teacher and as a counselor, she loved everyone.