Mrs. Reynolds was born on April 27, 1920 in Montgomery, Alabama and was the daughter of Johnathon Leon Thornton and Felecia Ione Chapel. She graduated from Lanier High School and Huntingdon College in 1940 with a degree in Psychology. Louise met her future husband, John Yarbrough Reynolds, Jr. in elementary school. They were married at the Church of the Ascension on August 30, 1941 when John received his first short leave from the Army during WWII. Both of their children, Felecia and John were christened at Ascension in Montgomery.
A vivacious woman throughout her life, Louise worked tirelessly with the State Mental Health Assoc. and served as the Executive Director of the Montgomery Mental Health Association for 17 years. In her memoirs, she wrote, the program is "my heart" and "all my life when troubles beset me, I have been able to sneak in quietly to church and receive answers and peace. That was a time I conceived the idea for Operation Godchild - a project to sponsor forgotten children at Partlow. This program lasted over 10 years." She also helped to establish the Open Door Club for former psychiatric patients, mainly from Bryce and Partlow, to help these people adjust and enter back into society (this program was believed to be the first in the country).
Mrs. Reynolds and the former Gov. Lureen Wallace fought diligently to improve the lives of the patients in Partlow and Bryce hospitals. Not seeking to call any attention upon herself, she was acknowledged and awarded many times as the champion for the defenseless. Louise also worked with patients in Alcohol Anonymous. She and her late husband helped to establish All Saints Episcopal Church on Coliseum Blvd. in Montgomery where they regularly attended church and served in various guilds and fundraisers. Both Louise and her late husband, John, were on the Board of Canterbury Court in the early planning stages.
Mrs. Reynolds is preceded in death by her husband, John Yarbrough Reynolds, Sr., her son, John Yarbrough Reynolds, Jr, and her daughter Felecia Reynolds Van Voorhis. Louise Reynolds is survived by three grandchildren, David Van Voorhis, Christine Kelly Reynolds, and Paulina Kelsey Reynolds Haier.
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