On February 1, 1948, God needed a “strong child” so He sent Robert Erskine Reeves, Jr., to be born in Columbia, South Carolina, to the late Robert Erskine Reeves, Sr., and Lois Bishop Reeves. Robert Jr.’s undeniable strength, valor, courage, and toughness influenced his family, church family, football team, and the hundreds of young people he coached and mentored.  He showed his love for God through his unselfish gifts to others.  It is evident that Robert lived a strong, active, and productive life. 

Mindful of his mortality, Robert initially confirmed his faith and relationship to God as a member of Chappelle Memorial AME Church and later as a member of the Francis Burns United Methodist Church.  He loved the church services, especially the singing; and he also loved quartet singing.

Robert was educated at the St. Martin DePorres Catholic School and was a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1965 in Columbia, South Carolina.  Subsequently, he enrolled at South Carolina State University (SCSU) in 1965 as an all-state running back (full back).  However, it was on defense, as a linebacker, that he starred in his freshman year. He ended his collegiate career in 1969 as a Pittsburgh Courier All-American and was signed by the Miami Dolphins and played for the Columbia All Stars football team.  Robert was selected as an SCSU Hall of Famer and a member of the SCSU Top 100 Football Team.

Robert’s family includes his loving wife of 53 years, Lizzie Devlin Reeves.  This union produced a daughter, Robin Nicole Reeves of Washington, DC.  He was predeceased by his son, Robert Erskine Reeves, III.  He is also survived by his sister, Brenda Campbell (Clyde), of Savannah, Georgia. Other family members include four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, the Francis Burns Church family, the South Carolina State University Alumni, and especially his former football circle of life-long friends.

When God needed a “strong man” to do some heavy lifting in His kingdom, through His infinite memory, He reached back and selected that same “strong child” who was born in 1948 and became the strong man in SC State football in 1965.  God chose Robert, not as a linebacker who could play on the defense, but this time, He needed a running back who could play on the offense. On Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Prisma Palmetto Richland Hospital, God put Robert in the game of his life and allowed him to run one more play-- before going home. As Robert got closer to the goal line, he was tackled, within reach of the goal line, but the “strong man” got up and scored on the final play.  On the way to victory, he looked back at Liz and Robin one final time, and then He looked straight ahead and “touched the face of God”.

While rejoicing with the home team, he like the other redeemed of the earth could now proclaim-- “the joy of the Lord, is my S T R E N G T H!"