Bruce Rockwell Reynolds was born February 7, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the fourth of nine children born to Lewis and Elgin Reynolds, who preceded him in death. Siblings Fern, Frances, Robert and Lewis Jr. (Lil Louie), nephews Kevin and Tyrone also preceded him in death.
Bruce grew up in Royal Oak Township, Michigan and, in high school, he initiated and diligently pursued a relationship with then Josie Mae Pickens. They married in 1968 and together created a wonderful marriage and a caring and loving family.
Bruce demonstrated an exceptionally strong and determined work ethic throughout his long career life – from working at Abner Wolf to becoming supervisor at Allied Supermarkets. He worked in sales at Strother Ford, Classic Cadillac, and Capital Cadillac where he earned membership in the distinguished Cadillac Crest Club as the number one salesman in the Southeast and 5th in the nation. Bruce eventually became the F&I Manager at Capital Cadillac and managed properties for Alton Management before his retirement.
Bruce became a devoted member of the Bahá’í Faith in 1969 after learning about it from Josie, also a devoted member. They raised their children according to its principles – the oneness of God, religion and mankind espoused by its Founder Bahá’u’lláh Whose name in Arabic means ‘the Glory of God’ – and sought every opportunity to uphold its tenets in their daily lives, particularly in service to others. Bruce and Josie served as members of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Detroit & Oak Park,Michigan; and of Marietta & Powder Springs, Georgia. Bruce also served for many years on the Louhelen Bahá’í School Council in Davison Township, Michigan. For 25 years, Bruce, along with other men of color from his Faith from around the country, formed the Black Men’s Gathering (BMG) – a group, founded by his treasured friend, Dr. William ‘Billy’ Roberts, whose aim was to provide spiritual and emotional support for each other while serving the Bahá’í Faith. Bruce was instrumental in helping to coordinate the logistics for the annual gatherings as well as their multiple trips to Africa and to the Bahá’í WorldCenter located in Haifa, Israel.
Bruce was a kind and gentle soul who offered assistance to whomever he saw in need. He was fun-loving and a master at bid whist and ‘deluxe’ Monopoly – two of his favorite pastimes. A sports enthusiast, he rooted for the home teams in Detroit and Atlanta. As a jazz enthusiast, his car radio was invariably tuned to the jazz station – WJZZ back in the day. He felt supreme joy whenever his grandchildren came to visit and, when they, with their parents, moved to Abu Dhabi, UAE, he and Josie made the trip overseas three times to visit them.
Though beset with gradual debilitating pain over the course of twenty plus years, Bruce fought through it valiantly, never allowing it to overtake his spirit or prevent him from serving others.
Bruce made his transition the evening of Friday, November 20, 2020, 18 days after he and Josie celebrated 52 years of marriage. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved Josie, his daughter Natalie Michelle Nightingale (husband Trevor and children Sidney “Gabby” Gabrielle and Ian “Max” Maxwell), his son Todd Bruce Reynolds (Cindy), his brothers Alfred Reynolds (Maxine), Paul Reynolds (Helen), and Lawrence Reynolds (Vickie) and his sister Paulette Reynolds Johnson, along with his sisters-in-law, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and a worldwide community of dear friends.
May the sweet memory of this true servant of God be a blessing for all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers The family has ask for friends and family to donate to the Amyloidosis foundation please click the below donation tab to9 donate in honor of Bruce Reynolds.
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