Obituary of Barbara Reynolds

September 24, 1935 - September 26, 2025

Barbara Nell Reynolds, Nanny to most, received her Promised Land on September 26, 2025. Having just celebrated 90 years of life, she was a true servant for her Savior and Lord. For a believer in Jesus Christ, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, so we know - she is home.

Barbara spent most of her life in Tyler County. Prior to moving to Woodville, she lived in Colmesneil. She would recount riding the train into Woodville to work at the diner in town. She was a 1954 graduate of Kirby High School and a loyal employee of Keller Industries until its closure. It was then that she joined her daughter at Noah’s Ark Daycare where she became Nanny to all the kids and their parents. Her commitment and work ethic was evident throughout her life, as were her kindness and generosity.

Born September 24, 1935, she was the youngest and the last living daughter of George Milton Carr and Zula Mae Deggs Carr. In 1954, she married Otis Reynolds who she first met while working at the diner. Together they shared 59 years of marriage, three children, eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, all of whom she adored and was so proud of.

Nanny loved others completely because she loved and faithfully served Jesus Christ and His church. She was a charter member of Cobb Mill Road Baptist Church, now Dogwood Hills Baptist Church where she faithfully attended. She found great joy in teaching the preschoolers, something she did until she was unable. You would also find her along with her special friend, tending to the roses and other flower beds at the church. When her physical health no longer allowed for such things, she continued her service by sewing baby blankets for the East Texas Pregnancy Center, making Valentines for residents at the local nursing facilities and more. Even as her physical abilities limited her, her servant heart could be seen in her diligence to pray for and call others spreading words of love and encouragement. She was a living example of servitude, unselfishly giving of herself to be the hands and feet of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Otis, son Jimmy Wayne Reynolds, son-in-law Steve Gelwicks and five sisters. Her love will live on in the lives of her daughters Becky Gelwicks, Debbie Yancey and husband Jerry. Grandchildren Angela Shirley (Jason), Dana Walker (Guy), Janay Yancey, Ami Silva, Deanna Crawford (Danny), Ashley Traylor, Bryan Gelwicks (Karen) and Alysha McCall (Chris), 18 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, niece Caroline Wells and a host of other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Stringer & Griffin Chapel with visitation at 1:30 and service at 3:00. A private family burial will take place afterwards. Serving as pallbearers will be her great grandsons. It was her request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Dogwood Hills Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.