Glenn Edward Reynolds, 84, of Payne Springs passed from this world and joined his Heavenly Father on March 22, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents Greer Edward Reynolds and Jessie Roberts Reynolds of Payne Springs and brother Excel Truman Reynolds also of Payne Springs.
“Denny” was born on October 21, 1934 on his family’s farm in Payne Springs, Texas. It would be on this farm that he was to learn the value of work. One of his earliest memories was dragging his mother’s cotton sack while she picked cotton. It was here that he also learned the value of education. He was a proud 1853 graduate of Eustace High School and would become the first in his family to earn a degree from a university. He attended Henderson County Junior College and received a degree in Agriculture from East Texas State University.
Throughout his life he knew, went to school with and "courted" Nelda Frazier who he said, "lived just down the way and on the other side of Lynn Creek". When Nelda started the first grade a year after Glenn did, he became her personal protector and nobody picked on her. Soon after Nelda graduated from high school they would marry and begin building a life together. He would be her protector for the rest of his life.
Upon graduation from East Texas State University he was hired to teach agriculture at Como Independent School District. While in this position he and his students built the community a fire truck from World War II military surplus equipment. Together they would fight grass fires set by trains coming through the area. It was not uncommon for Glenn and the boys at Como High School to fight these fires for several days and nights on end rather than to attend school. He was instrumental in Como getting a community water supply serving as a liaison between community leaders and contractors. In 1965 Como ISD and Pickton ISD consolidated and he was hired as the first principal of Coma - Pickton High School. This consolidation included the integration of the Sand Flat School which was where the black children attended school. Because of concerns some of the residents of the Sand Flat Community had about the safety of their children, Glenn made it a point to visit each of the parent's homes and assure them that their children would be safe and there would be no problems. In 1969 Glenn and his family returned to this area when he was hired by Henderson County Junior College to teach biology and anatomy and physiology. Over the next thirty years he would teach many who chose to enter the field of medicine and nursing. For the rest of his life he would often encounter former students and he always enjoyed visiting with them.
In 1992 Glenn and Nelda returned to the family farm where they build their home and planned for retirement. Glenn retired from Trinity Valley Community College in 1999 and became active in the Payne Springs community. He was one of the founding members of the Payne Springs Perpetual Care Cemetery, he was active in the Payne Springs Methodist Church and was a former member of the Payne Springs Fire Department Advisory Board. He enjoyed being outdoors and working on his home place. He always enjoyed telling stories about the "good ol' days" and how people worked and survived years ago.
Glenn is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife Nelda Frazier Reynolds of Payne Springs, son Eddie Reynolds and his wife Kathy of Mabank, daughter Patti Thompson of Richardson, grandson Jake Thompson of Dallas, granddaughters; Karli Sutton and her husband Jeff of Mabank, Allison Congdon and her husband Eric of Plano, Kelsi Caraway and her husband Michael of Robinson, Emily Thompson of Emory and great-granddaughters; Lynlee and Karsyn Sutton and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Glenn was very proud of his and Nelda's family and commented often about his pride in them and he was always proud of being a Payne Springs farm boy.
Services for Glenn will be conducted by Bro. Randy Jones and Rev. Allyson Penney.
Pallbearers will be Jake Thompson, Thomas Frazier, Jeff Sutton, Eric Congdon, Michael Caraway and Andrew Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Glen and Donna Hyde.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Payne Springs Cemetery, 9692 State Hwy. 198, Unit 3, Mabank, Texas 75156 or the Payne Springs United Methodist Church, 9667 State Hwy. 198, Mabank, Texas 75156.
