Jimmy Wayne Eaves

Jimmy Wayne Eaves, 85, of Brownsville, Texas, was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-three years, Virginia Mitchell Eaves, his parents, Woody and Cora Bell Eaves, and his brothers, Leon and Ray Eaves.

He is survived by his children, John Eaves and his wife, Christy, Randy Eaves, and Judith Krause and her husband, Richard; his grandchildren, Jonathan Eaves and his wife, Caitlin, Kristin Bowen and her husband, Timothy, Joshua Eaves and his fiancé, Miriam, Jared Eaves, Kaitlyn Eaves, Timothy and Jacob Hollandsworth, and Ashley Krause and her husband, Eloy; his great-grandchildren, Matthew Eaves, Evan Bowen, Ellie Eaves, Grant Hollandsworth, Eloy, Jr., and Audrey Krause; his brother, Bill Eaves; his sister-in-law, Joy Eaves; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Jimmy was born in Becton, Texas, and grew up in the Petersburg/Plainview area in West Texas. After graduating from high school, Jimmy and his brother Ray joined the Air Force together and served from 1951 through 1954 during the Korean War. He was stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he received his Aircraft and Engine Mechanic degree. After completing his four-year commitment, he and Ray attended the Lippert Business College in Plainview, where they both received their court reporter certifications.

Jimmy moved to the Rio Grande Valley in January of 1956 and began his career as a Certified Shorthand Reporter in Cameron and Willacy Counties. He spent his entire career as a court reporter for the 107th District Court, working under seven distinguished district court judges, before deciding to retire after 39 years of dedicated service in January of 1995. He was a member of the National, Texas, and Rio Grande Valley Court Reporters Associations.

Jimmy met the love of his life, Virginia Ann Mitchell, through mutual friends in 1960. After a whirlwind long-distance romance, he and Virginia married. Virginia moved to Brownsville in 1961, where they started their new life together.

Jimmy was a baseball coach when his children were young, coaching both of his sons to the state championships in the mid-70's. He loved to watch the Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys play, and spent many hours watching reruns of football and baseball games.

Jimmy had a lifelong passion and fantastic talent for woodworking and was an accomplished handyman. His creations included beautifully intricate birdhouses, bird feeders, treasure chests, and furniture, which were generously given to family and friends. He also spent countless hours before and after retirement in his workshop repairing and restoring anything that came through his doors.

Jimmy was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Brownsville, Texas, where he served as an usher for many years. He graciously donated his time and abilities to building the welcome centers and all of the offering boxes for the church when the new building was completed in 2001.

Please join us for a memorial service to celebrate Jimmy's life on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, 1600 Boca Chica Blvd., Brownsville, Texas, with Pastors Steve Dorman and Craig Smith officiating. A private burial will take place at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider a charitable gift in his memory to the First Baptist Church, 1600 Boca Chica Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Mr. Eaves' family would like to express a special "thank you" to the doctors and 4th Floor South Tower nursing staff at VBMC Harlingen and to CIMA Hospice nurses Nicole and Noe who tirelessly and compassionately cared for him during his last weeks of life, and to the congregation of the First Baptist Church Brownsville for all the meals, visits, and prayers.

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