Royce Clayton Eaves passed away April 10, 2017, at his home in Daphne, Ala.  He was 85.

Born April 17, 1931, in Winston County, he was the son of Robert Milton Eaves and Avie Smith Eaves.  He had been a longtime resident of Vicksburg and had recently relocated to Daphne.

In 1960, he graduated from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette with a degree in Civil Engineering and continued to be an avid alumni and supporter of the University and the Ragin Cajuns for the remainder of his life.

He began service in the United States Army in 1952 in the Korean War with a Tank Battalion. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1960.

He later was employed by the U. S. Corps of Engineers at the Vicksburg Waterways Experiment Station as an Engineer until he retired.  During his time there he served with distinction and was recognized for his expertise in soil stabilization.  As a result of his special expertise and recognition he travelled internationally to many foreign countries to share his knowledge.  He later was elected and served a four-year term as a Supervisor for Warren County from 1996 to 2000.

He was active in the Vicksburg Lions Club International and attended numerous national and international conventions.  He loved to work with his Lions Club members at local fund raising events and festivals and was an enthusiastic collector of service lapel pins.    

He ran a successful commercial and residential roofing company in Vicksburg, the Eaves Corporation, for many years and also had an active real estate business where he rented homes to many families in Warren County.

Square dancing and travelling around the United States and many foreign countries with his wife, Irene Benton Eaves (now deceased), was his passion. 

He personally designed and created a pin for the state of Mississippi for his square dancing club. He also enjoyed reading, forestry and gardening.  He raised blueberries at his home on Bellaire Drive and loved to share his crop with family and friends.

He was also a devoted and loving husband to his current wife, the former Thelma Harris.  They first met when they both attended New Hope High School in Columbus and they later reunited and married in 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma Harris; his sister, Doris Delayne Smith of Texas; his loving daughters, Dr. Theresa G. Jones (Malcolm) of Pass Christian, MS; and their four daughters, Dr. Jessica Jones, Mallory Jones Lehrhoff and her son Herbie, Dr. Brittany Jones Varney and Chelsea Jones; Bobbi Eaves with her son, Jack Sutliff, both of Ohio and Martha “Marti” Eaves of Vicksburg. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation with his wife and family will be held at the Glenwood Funeral Home Saturday, April 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.