Ola Reeves, 95, a Labor Department official who served as the Department's first National Trade Act Coordinator, died August 16 at Asbury Retirement Community in Solomons, MD, where she had lived the past four years. She had suffered a stroke in 2009.

She began her career in government in 1947 with the Massachusetts State Employment Security Service. From 1951-1962 she worked for the Alaska Territorial and State Employment Security Agency and was the Deputy Director until moving to Washington, D.C. in 1962. From 1962 until her retirement in 1980, she worked for the U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Manpower Training.

A series of first accomplishments for women include the first class of stewardesses for Eastern Airlines (1943), the first to serve as an employment office manager (1953) the first Deputy Director of an Employment Security Agency (1956), and the first U.S. Department of Labor Social Administration Specialist (1962). She was also the first person appointed as the U.S. Department of Labor's National Trade Act Coordinator (1975).

She served as the International Secretary of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security in 1959. Following a modeling career in Alabama, she worked for United and Eastern Airlines as a stewardess and Executive Representative from 1941-1946.

She became involved with the Women's National Democratic Club after her retirement where she served on many committees and on the governing board. She also served as a volunteer with Emily's List. She was also active in the Hughes Methodist Hope Circle, the Inter-faith Chapel at Leisure World, and the Asbury Gaithersburg Gift Shop.

Survivors include three children JoAnn Patterson of Dowell, MD., Joseph Reeves of Juneau, AK. and Nancy Reeves of Las Vegas, NV.; two grandsons and four great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Nora McGuirk and Betty Sargent of Fultondale, Alabama.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 27, from 5 – 7 PM at the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD, where a service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, September 28, at 11AM with Pastor Randall Casto officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ola's memory to Asbury - Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD 20688.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.