In a summer camp auditorium, people file in to take their seats in large concentric circles. There are clergy, clowns and people dressed for summer camp with wooden name tags, khaki shorts and sandals. Those in attendance were there to celebrate the life of Methodist youth leader Nina Reeves.
Reeves died on February 17, 2026, at 100 years old. She was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. According to her obituary, Reeves became the youth director of the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church after having trouble finding a teaching job. Reeves held that role for 49 years.
One place where Revees' work can be seen is Camp Sumatanga, a Methodist camp and conference center about 50 miles northeast of Birmingham, which held a memorial service for her on March 21, 2026.
The service began with the clowns preparing the altar – a table in the center of the hall. They covered it with bright cloths, a record player, flowers, patterned clothes, a tall stool, a music box, and a cross, made from hefty branches. The setting, as well as the people who placed the items on the table, said a lot about the fun and God-loving person being remembered.
The program included prayer, song, fables, memories of Reeves and communion. Reeves’ affection for youth and festive outlook were consistent motifs of the afternoon. Speakers expressed gratitude for her friendship, guidance and optimism.
Reeves inspired people to worship together and learn from people who were different than themselves. In the 1950s, Reeves invited Black minister Julius S. Scott Jr. to Camp Sumatanga at a time when it was still segregated.
In the 1990s, Reeves organized Peace Camps, calling youth from all over the world to worship together and learn from one another.
“We all came together to worship the Lord together and to encourage each other and be just a beautiful picture of God's love in the world,” Amanda DeGreen said.
Jennifer Hallman, now a children’s book author, attended the 1992 Peace Camp.
“ I haven't been back here since I graduated from high school, and I looked today and realized how much of my adult life was shaped by Nina and what Nina allowed to flow here,” Hallman said.
She said that when she thinks of Reeves, she thinks of color and the altar at the center of the room.
“ Nina taught all of us the importance of being yourself and what you could do for the world,” Hallman said.
Reeves was Olivia Maki’s great aunt.
“She would tell me stories while I was taking a bath,” Maki said. “She would put me into them and give me different magical friends in them.”
Many people brought up the “split dog story,” a favorite of Reeves. But no one felt they’d be able to tell it the way she did. Reeves was known for her storytelling, as attendees kept mentioning. Reeves even delivered a TEDx Talk in 2015 where she spoke about the importance of sharing stories.
On another part of the campgrounds, people continued to celebrate Reeves after the service. They filled a space with her things for people to take as mementos. In a nearby auditorium, people danced as they remembered Nina Reeves.
Vahini Shori is a Report for America corps member covering faith and culture for WBHM.
This reporting is supported by WBHM’s Local Journalism Innovation Fund. Find out more about the fund and how to donate here.
