Prior to the start of jury selection in Circuit Court Judge Tommy Jones’ courtroom Monday morning, the Dallas County Bar Association took time to remember and honor past members who have died in recent years.

Presenting the resolutions to the court, and into the association’s records, was local attorney and chairman of the association’s memorial committee, Cartledge Blackwell.

The resolutions honored former attorney’s Archibald Thomas Reeves Jr., who died May 3, 2009, and John Blanton, who died Dec. 27, 2010. Those two resolutions joined another, read earlier this year, recognizing John Abner Lockett Jr., who died Oct. 31, 2009.

Included in the proclamations was information on each attorney’s personal and professional careers and the impact they made on the city, county and association.

Below are excerpts from the proclamations read Monday and the previous proclamation read earlier this year:

 

John H. Blanton (1918-2010)

“Whereas, our brother John volunteered for service in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific Amphibious Forces during World War II and after the war attained the rack of Naval Commander in the United States Naval Reserve JAG Corps; and,

Whereas, our brother John was elected and served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives; and

Whereas, our brother John served as a United States Magistrate Judge …”

Blanton, a gradate of the University of Alabama and Alabama School of Law, practiced law in Selma for 56 years until he retired at the age of 86. He was a member of the Selma Rotary Club, the Central Rehabilitation Center, served with the Dallas County Crippled Children’s Society and was a member of the Board of Stewards of Church Street United Methodist Church.

In addition to recognizing Blanton’s wife, Mary Hutchings Blanton, his sons John Hutchings Blanton and Barry Scott Blanton and daughter, Margaret Blanton Colley, the association recognized his integrity and willingness to help others.

“Whereas, our brother John was of the highest integrity and set a fine example for the members of this Association; and, Whereas, our brother John was always more than willing to assist younger attorneys to guide them in their legal career for which the members of this Association will always be grateful …”

 

John Abner Lockett Jr. (1942-2009)

“Whereas, our brother John entered the practice of law as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Alabama; and,

Whereas, our brother John continued his public serve as a representative in the Alabama Legislature from 1975 to 1979; and,

Whereas, our brother John practiced law in Selma, Alabama, as a sole practitioner for over forty years …”

In detailing Lockett’s career, which was made possible thanks to a degree he earned at Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Alabama School of Law, the association spoke of some of his passions, including history, reading and the outdoors.

The proclamation also mentioned his survivors, including his wife, Martha Beasley Lockette, his mother, Louise Dennard Lockett, and sons John Abner Locket III and Peyton Beasley Lockett.

The association also documented his strong friendships and commitment to those friends.

“Whereas, our brother John’s loyalty to his friends was unending; and,

Whereas, our brother John was always patient to teach and assist the members of the Dallas County Bar Association and any other attorney who would call him on numerous occasions for questions relating to bankruptcy law or other areas of the law with which he was familiar …”

 

Archibald Thomas Reeves Jr. (1932-2009)

In a similar trait shared with each of the others honored by the Dallas County Bar Association, Reeves was raised in Selma and attending public schools in Selma. He attended Davidson College before earning his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

In the proclamation, Reeves’ strong family ties to the legal profession were detailed, showcasing his father was an attorney in Selma, and the legacy he left with family, including Selma attorney Allen Smith Reeves; the third generation attorney for the family.

“Whereas, our brother Archie entered law practice with the firm of Pettus, Fuller, Reeves & Stewart, which subsequently has been known as Reeves & Stewart, practicing with his father and Edgar A. Stewart and Mortimer P. Ames and B. Kincey Green Jr. and more recently with Archie’s son Allen Smith Reeves; and,

“Whereas, our brother Archie carried on a long tradition of said firm providing the highest quality of legal services to a wide range and number of clients …”

The proclamation documented Reeves’ survivors, including his wife, Anne Smith Reeves, and three sons, Archibald T. Reeves IV, Allen Smith Reeves and Edgar Stewart McNeil Reeves.

In addition to the personal interests he had of the outdoors, fishing and frequently visiting friends on the Alabama River, the proclamation honored Reeves’ abilities.

“Whereas, our brother Archie was possessed of a keen intellect and active wit and was of the character that he could say anything without offending the listener; and,

Whereas, our brother Archie had many good friends and held a great reputation and high respect in our community …”