Mrs. Gwendolyn Neal-Reeves, 48, of Phenix City, AL passed on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 in Birmingham, AL.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. EST, Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Gregory McLeod, Pastor, officiating with Rev. Christopher Reeves, Eulogist. Interment to follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens, Phenix City, AL. Visitation will be Friday, July 17, 2026 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. EST at Taylor Funeral Home.

Gwendolyn Melanie Neal-Reeves was born on July 3, 1978, in Ozark, Alabama, to the late Monroe and Linda Neal. She received her early education in the Ozark City School System and graduated from Carroll High School in 1996. She continued her education at the Wallace Community College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing, and later received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Ashford University.

At an early age, Gwen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and became an active member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ozark, Alabama. It was there that she built a strong spiritual foundation and faithfully served in numerous ministries and organizations. She served as Secretary of the Young People's Division of the Women's Missionary Society; as Chair of the Lila Burnett Society of the Northwest Alabama Annual Conference; and in many other different capacities in the church.

Gwendolyn devoted more than 25 years of her life to the nursing profession. Throughout her distinguished career, she served with compassion and excellence at Flowers Hospital, Summit Hospital, Caring for Kids, Columbus Specialty Hospital, Amedisys Home Health, North Alabama Medical Center in Florence, Alabama, and her most recent employer, Russell County Board of Education as a School Nurse for Russell Middle School. She cared for every patient with genuine love, exceptional professionalism, and words of encouragement that brought comfort to countless lives.

Her servant's heart extended far beyond the jobs. Gwen was deeply committed to her community and dedicated herself to making a difference wherever she served. She was a dance coach at Russell County High School and faithfully supported numerous civic and community organizations. At the time of her passing she was an Executive Board Member of Focus Initiative, a member of the Junior League, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She also faithfully served as a member of the Women's Missionary Society and the Pastor's Spouses Organization of the Northeast Alabama Annual Conference. As the wife of a pastor, Gwen wholeheartedly embraced every appointment, serving diligently alongside her husband and leaving a lasting legacy of love, compassion, encouragement, and faithful service in every church they were blessed to serve.

Although her earthly journey has ended, the impact of her life an legacy will continue through all who were blessed to know and love her.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted husband of 21 years, Rev. Christopher Reeves; three beloved sons, Christian, Landyn, and Aaden Reeves; four sisters, Smithie (James) Mitchell, Delois Murray, Shelia (Clarence) Hunter, and Elanor Martinez; two brothers, Monroe (Stacy) Neal, III., and Dwight Anderson; her mother-in-law, Gloria Moore; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Woods; and Sandra (Victor) Berry; one brother-in-law, Angelo (Danielle) Reeves, two aunts, Rosa Lee Edwards and Nell Warren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.