Violet Makarenko Reynolds (“Nana”), 89, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2014 in her home. Violet was born on March 17, 1925, in Russia. She and her family survived as refugees fleeing Russia during World War II. She served in a forced labor camp in Germany before meeting Roy S. Reynolds, an American soldier. In June 1946, they married and lived in Washington D.C. and California before settling in Birmingham, AL. She was a member at Green Valley Baptist Church. She loved her family and friends; she was an avid reader, spoke fluent Russian, German and English, and never lost her Russian accent, which entertained everyone she met. Preceded in death by her husband Roy; parents, Leon and Anna Makarenko; and sisters, Alexandria & Lili Ann. Survived by her son, Roy Sanders Reynolds Jr.; her grandchildren, Tracy Reynolds Davis (Brian) and Roy S. Reynolds III “Trey” (Emily); her five great-grandchildren, Micah & Joshua Davis, Austin, Taylor, and Cooper Reynolds; her brother-in-law George Ray Reynolds (Pete) and other family members. Special thanks to her loving caregivers, Debbie Elliot, Trish Seidel, and niece Theresa Hayes. Graveside services will be held 12 Noon Thursday August 7, 2014 at Elmwood Cemetery with visitation 1 hour prior at Elmwood Chapel.
