Reginald Eaves, a former Fulton County Commissioner and uncle of current Fulton Commission Chairman Dr. John Eaves, who spent much of his life making impactful changes in the city’s black community, passed away on Tuesday following a series of health issues. He was 81.
Eaves, a classmate of legendary Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson, was said to have lacked the traditional police training to become safety commissioner but nevertheless reduced crime in the city before moving onto the Fulton County Commission and creating opportunities for black entrepreneurship.
Current Fulton County Chairman John Eaves has released the following statement on the death of Reginald Eaves:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I bring to you news of an extremely personal loss for me. Many of you know Reginald Eaves as a former Fulton County Commissioner and the first African-American to serve as public safety commissioner for the City of Atlanta. I knew him as my uncle, mentor and confidante. Today, I learned that after several major health setbacks in recent months, my Uncle Reginald has died. I was at his bedside, along with his siblings, at the time my Uncle Reginald passed. He was 81 years old.
A. Reginald Eaves was a gregarious man who lived his life to the fullest. He was a proud public servant and, more importantly, a proud family man. He was a sounding board upon whom I leaned on many occasions. Any place I had been or anything I had achieved in my life, Uncle Reginald had achieved before.
This loss is a huge one for my family. My uncle is part of the reason I wanted to enter the realm of public service. He cared about making the community around us a better place. He loved his family, he loved life and he loved the City of Atlanta, his adopted hometown.
Throughout many of the health issues he encountered in recent years, I had many constituents and friends ask me about his condition and status. What I can tell you now is this; the suffering he endured in recent years is over. All I ask of you at this time is to remember my family in your prayers. Thank you and may God bless you.”
John H. Eaves, PhD
Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commissioners