Willene Reynolds
Margie Willene Long Reynolds, 85, of High Point, Georgia, died at her home on November 19, 2014, surrounded by her family. Her health had declined steadily over the past several years.
She was born in Highland Park on Aug. 25, 1929, the daughter of Richard and Amy Blankenship Long. As an only child, Willene grew up feeling particularly close to her dozens of cousins (many of whom preceded her in death). Her family attended the Gospel Tabernacle under the ministry of Rev. T. Perry Brannon. Willene attended Highland Park Elementary School, Eastside Junior High and was in the 1947 Graduating Class of Central High School (which has continued having annual class reunions for decades).
After graduating from high school, Willene worked at the Davenport Hosiery Mill, where she met David Reynolds, whom she married on February 4, 1950. They then moved into the house in Brainerd which they and their relatives had constructed, and in which they raised their four children.
In 1977, they acquired a farm in High Point, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Willene was an accomplished artist and china-painter and retired from Olan Mills after 18 years there as a glare artist. She loved her church, vegetable and flower gardening, long drives in the country, the beauty of the changing seasons, family genealogy and being “MiMi” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Willene had been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1958 and New City Fellowship from before the merger of the two congregations up until the time of her death. She supported the work of a number of missionaries and was very involved in Widows Harvest Ministries in her later years.
Willene was preceded in death by her parents and former husband, David E. Reynolds.
Willene is survived by sons, Rickey Dwain Reynolds, Sr. (Kim), Terry David Reynolds (Nancy), Roddy Alan Reynolds (Julie) and daughter, Margie Jean Reynolds Gardner (David), 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel. Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends after 2 p.m. Saturday and prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to New City Fellowship (2424 E 3rd St, Chattanooga, TN 37404), Widows Harvest Ministry (P.O. Box 2307, Chattanooga, TN 37409) or Des and Lynne Harper of Operation Mobilization (PO Box 444, Tyrone, GA 30290-0444). Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.