Dorothy Pearson Rieves

Dorothy Lou Pearson Rieves

Tupelo - Dot Rieves, 94 and one-half years old of Tupelo, MS went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was born June 28, 1928, to Audie and Shellie Pearson of Golden, MS.

Dot graduated from Itawamba Agricultural High School in 1946 and attended East Mississippi Community College where she met the love of her life, Bill Rieves. The two were married on March 19, 1947. Dot attended Mississippi State University and received her Bachelor of Education degree and later received her Master’s Degree in Business Education from The University of Mississippi. For 32 years, she taught school beginning at the age of 19 in Hatley, MS and completed her teaching career in Tupelo in 1984.

Mrs. Rieves was a special lady in our community and always the educator. In 1993, Dot Rieves and her husband were recognized as Citizens of the Year. In 1973, Dot was recognized as Educator of Year of Southern Business Education Association, and served as Mississippi State President of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International from 1981-1983. Never stopping her teaching in one area or another, she taught the oldest ladies’ Sunday School class at Harrisburg Baptist Church for some 20 years. She helped for many years in the Women’s Missionary Union of Harrisburg Baptist Church. She loved to sew and smock for her grands making some of the most beautiful clothes. Baking was an especially enjoyable time for her. She made jellies, pies, and her famous pound cake for many friends and family. Mrs. Rieves was a volunteer with The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Tupelo driving many senior citizens to and from doctors’ offices. Her legacy is that whether she was in a small group of friends, in a classroom or leading a statewide organization of peers; her Christian example was evident.

Dot’s survivors include: her daughter, Cynthia Colburn Steen (Mike) and son, Rob Rieves (Connie) all of Tupelo; son-in-law, Chuck McIntosh of Madison, MS. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lauren McNichol (Sean) of Madison, MS, Tucker Colburn (Amanda), of Olive Branch, MS, Anne Elise Ray (David) of Meridian, MS, Shelley Colburn of Tupelo, Jacob Rieves of Tupelo, and Katie Rieves of Pensacola, FL. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Jack and Kate McNichol of Madison, MS; and Scott and Amanda Ray of Meridian, MS. She left many nieces and nephews as well as her very special caregiver, Sharon B. Banks.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ouida P. Ashley, her husband Bill Rieves, daughter, Regina McIntosh, son-in-law, Mitch Colburn and her great-granddaughter, Hannah Pearson McNichol.

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening at the Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. An additional visitation will be on Wednesday at the church from 12:00pm until the service hour at 2:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Harrisburg Baptist Church, Tupelo, MS with Bro. David Langerfeld and Bro. David Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Amory Historical Society Cemetery, Amory, MS.

Memorials may be made to CREATE FOUNDATION (Rieves’ Mentor Scholarship), 213 W Main Street #100, Tupelo, MS. 38804, or Shepherd’s Center of Greater Tupelo, 400 W. Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804, or Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com