Alvenia was born on February 8, 1931, to Marie Olle Shaw and Thomas Henry Jackson in Detroit, Michigan. She was the second of five children, three sisters and a brother; Arletta (preceded in death), Jacqueline (Jackie), Marie (Tootie)(preceded her in death), and Mell (preceded her in death). Alvenia attended Higginbottham ES, Post Junior High and Cooley HS in Detroit, Michigan. She also attended college. Alvenia accepted Christ at an early age. She attended New Prospect Baptist Church on Wisconsin St, Detroit, Michigan, where she was baptized and sang in the choir. Alvenia’s first job was at SS Kresge Retail Store. She worked as the head cook at their lunch counter. During this time, she introduced her Stuffed Cabbage recipe to the store. While working at this store, she met and married Donald Christian Reeves Sr (preceded her in death). From that union there were four children born; Donald C. Reeves Jr (preceded her in death), Gary R. Reeves (preceded her in death), Sharon P. Reeves (Pindle) and Randy Reeves (preceded her in death).
Alvenia loved singing and cooking. She was always singing while she was cooking. She also loved to travel and shop, especially on QVC.
