Carol Sue Reynolds

Our beloved mother Carol 'Sue' Newton Reynolds passed on March 17, 2021 from the terrible disease of dementia. She was born June 25, 1933 to Lawrence S. (Newt) and Elsie D Newton in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska.  The Newton family traveled to East Texas and finally settled in the lower Rio Grande Valley to raise their family.

Sue (as everyone called her) graduated from San Benito High School and her first job was working as a switchboard operator for Southern Bell Telephone Company.  She soon met the love of her life Roy Eldon Reynolds through a blind date arranged by her sister.  The date worked; Roy and Sue were married in 1951. They were married 62 years when Roy predeceased her in 2013.

Sue is survived by her sister Shirley Jo Phillips (Jack);  brother Larry W (Butch) Newton (Frankie);  her 4 children Sharon Kay Manly (Robbin), Steve E. Reynolds; Jerri Lea Ware (Mark) and James Wade (Jimmy) Reynolds.  Her 6 grandchildren are Kimberly Kay Wiley (Bobby) David E. Ware (Amber), Lindsay L.  Manly, Ashley Harvey, Josh Reynolds and Kyle Reynolds.  Sue was  also  blessed with 6 great-grandchildren as well as many loving friends.

Upon becoming a parent, Sue entered into the walk of life of full time motherhood, which was of great  joy to her. The most important and rewarding part of her life was loving and caring for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many friends and co-workers have said over the years that they felt she was a mother figure to them, always concerned for their best interest, health and wellbeing, referring to her as sweet, kind, generous and caring.

Sue, like her mother and sister, was an exceptional seamstress, making clothes throughout the years for her entire family. Attending classes to improve her skills, she made tailored suits, coats, pants and more, pattern/fabric shopping for the latest styles, and then making the hippest clothes for her husband, children, and herself. She believed it was important to leave a legacy of love for her family by gifting hand-made items.

Sue was  also an excellent cook, her favorite things being sweets. She made wonderful pies, cookies and cakes.  Each year for Birthdays it was a given that she would make each person's favorite cake or pie to eat and enjoy. It was a labor of love that mom enjoyed very much.

Sue and Roy opened Reynolds Art and Frame Gallery in 1971. For 20 years she represented many local, national and international artists and societies. This was an excellent fit, as her sense of style and color developed  through her seamstress skills, naturally segued into the world of color, lines, composition and beautiful artistic expression.

When Reynolds Gallery was sold, Sue returned to school to get her AA and begin another career in Medical Records. She worked for two nursing homes and Baptist Hospital.   Sue was  very active in the American Business Women's Association, serving as an officer, traveling, going to conferences and just having fun with the girls.

Sue and Roy lead an adventurous life.  Roy was the consummate 'traveling salesman'.  Sue, the consummate 50's wife and homemaker gathered the family, packed the bags and followed him in his many career moves across Texas, Louisiana, Mexico and Florida.  After they retired, eager for one last adventure, sold the house, packed their belongings in a Toyota 4Runner and set off to a final adventure to live again in Mexico.  They were able to spend 12 glorious years exploring and living in various parts of Mexico before returning to Florida to finish their life surrounded by their family.

Sue was a quiet, soft spoken woman that will be remembered for her big inclusive heart. She taught her children how to love, honor and respect others with their well being more important than things. This surely is reflective of her Christian up-bringing  and subsequent raising of her children in the love of God and His exhortation to love others. She will be missed by many, and remembered with great fondness.

Sue will be cremated and family and friends will celebrate her life on Friday April 2nd at 2pm at Park City Baptist Church  7410 Park City Dr., Jacksonville 32244.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Park City Baptist Church or to the We Can Be Heroes Foundation.