Bethel Mae Reynolds

Bethel Mae Reynolds, age 84, of McKinney, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 15, 2026. She was born on December 31, 1941, in Marcellus, Michigan, to Myron Francis Goff and Edith Emeral Ulam Goff.

Bethel was a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. She completed her education through Adult Education in Marcellus, Michigan, graduating in 1968. Her first job was in the business office at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw, Michigan, and she went on to work in various accounting and business roles throughout her life, where her attention to detail and love of accuracy were well known.

In July of 1991, Bethel became a follower of Jesus Christ and was baptized, a decision that shaped the remainder of her life. Her faith was lived out through service and compassion. She devoted many years to Kairos Prison Ministry, served faithfully in youth ministry at her church, and greatly enjoyed church fellowship. Bethel also sponsored a child through Compassion International, faithfully writing letters of encouragement and treasuring the letters she received in return as she nurtured his faith until he aged out of the program.

Bethel found joy in life’s simple pleasures—working jigsaw puzzles, playing Scrabble, Rummikub, and Bunco, and spending time with those she loved. Above all, her greatest pride and joy were her six grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.

A fun and beloved family story reflects Bethel’s lifelong love of words and correctness: a true stickler for proper grammar and spelling, she once wrote to the producers of Jeopardy! in 1969 to inform them they had “goofed” on a question. She later received a letter confirming that they had indeed made an error—and that she was the only person who had written to them about it.

Bethel is reunited in heaven with those who went before her, including her parents, Myron Francis Goff and Edith Emeral Ulam Goff; her sister, Betty Hunsberger; her first husband, Dudley Ray Johnson; and her beloved granddaughter, Grace Bricker.

She is survived by her children: daughter Beth (Darrell) Testerman of McKinney, Texas; son Brian Johnson of Melissa, Texas; and daughter Heather (Bret) Cox of Melissa, Texas. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: John Testerman, Brody Cox, Baxlyn Cox, Kylee Cox, Korbin Cox, and Blade Cox. Bethel leaves behind her sister, Bonnie Simon of Mattawan, Michigan; her brother, Richard (Nancy) Goff of Kalamazoo, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Belterra Health and Rehabilitation, 2170 Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071. This will be a come-and-go gathering, with a time of remembrance at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the March of Dimes, a cause dear to Bethel’s heart. The organization’s mission to end preventable preterm birth and infant death was especially meaningful to her, as prematurity directly affected five of her precious grandchildren. Donations may be made at www.marchofdimes.org/donate, and may be dedicated in memory of Bethel Mae Reynolds.

Bethel will be remembered for her faith, her kindness, her sharp mind, and her deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the faith she faithfully walked.