Mildred Reynolds Reynolds Shields

85, of Midlothian, Virginia, formerly of Belleair Beach passed away December 6. Born in Owingsville, Kentucky, she married Charles L. Shields, whom she met in Warm Springs, Georgia where they were both seeking treatment for polio. Years later, she said that it was in Warm Springs where she conquered the worst part of polio, the mental attitude. They settled in Atlanta, Georgia where she worked as a homemaker and raised three children as her husband opened a successful advertising agency. While in Atlanta, she gave back to those less fortunate as the Atlanta Area Chairperson for the March of Dimes Mother’s March, an annual fundraising campaign devoted to serving the needs of individuals with polio, birth defects and arthritis. In addition, she was president of her Garden Club and won numerous awards for her floral designs.

Later, she moved to Florida where she was a longtime volunteer for the American Cancer Society (ACS). In 1998 she received the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from the ACS for developing and coordinating the 1st satellite office and the only all-volunteer, hospital-based office in the state of Florida located at the Largo Medical Center. In 1990, she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Pinellas County unit of the ACS, as well as the Fortune Savings Bank Rainbow Award for Volunteerism in honor of her achievements on behalf of the ACS. As a result of her commitment to this cause, she was asked to serve two consecutive terms on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society-Pinellas County. She also served as President of the Island Garden Club on Belleair Beach. In addition, she was a proud participant of the St Petersburg Times Turkey Trot where she would line up at the starting line of the 1-mile Gobbler, roll her wheelchair through the course, smiling at the cheering neighbors lined up along the route until she crossed the finish line with a huge amount of well-deserved fanfare. In 1995, the St Petersburg Times ran an article titled “For this family, tradition continues” featuring her commitment to family traditions and her participation in the annual Turkey Trot.

Recently she said one her proudest accomplishments was that she had three happy, successful children and that they had raised such great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles. She is survived by her daughter, Pattie Kott and her husband, Steve of New Port Richey; her son Chuck Shields and his wife Janet of Midlothian, Virginia; and her son Scott Shields and his wife Ruth of Lakewood, Washington; as well as seven grandchildren, Melissa Raltson and her husband Chris, Caroline Kott, Jackie Kott, Becky Shields, Jennifer Shields, Stephanie Shields, Brian Shields, and one great granddaughter, Kendall Ralston.

After living a full, happy and accomplished life, she leaves us with warm memories and some important life lessons.

Friends may call from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Friday followed by a celebration of her life at 2:30 pm at Moss-Feaster Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774.

www.mossfeasterlargo.com