Shelley Ann Reynolds

She was born on December 8, 1967, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. She was the daughter of Dena Reynolds and the late Gordon "Rick" Reynolds, and sister of Richard Reynolds.

The child of a Navy service member, Shelley grew up primarily in the DC metropolitan area, as well as various states along the East and West Coasts where her father was stationed. She was a curious, intelligent, and active child.

She attended Parkway Elementary School in Hyattsville MD, Abingdon Elementary in Arlington, VA, Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA, and Warren County High School in Front Royal, VA. She had aspirations of one day becoming an actor or a history professor. Instead, she grew a deep passion, skillset, and career in food service, eventually directing Patient Food Services at McCleod Hospital in Loris, a role she referred to as "The Perfect Job."

Shelley was a radical individual. A firm believer in truly being yourself and living your way. She'd argue her point to death, but ultimately say your thing was up to you, as it was important to never waver on your truth.

Her heart was always at the beach. The ocean, the sand, and the food. Steamed Maryland blue crabs were one of her favorites, but it wasn't just the taste. It was a food that slowed you down and sat you down with friends and family, together.

She loved music and the arts. She dreamed of the stage when she was younger and was a champion of the creative expression that her friends and family explored throughout life. Shelley sang songs with her mother and played guitar with her father. This musical gift carries on in her son Dakota and granddaughter Pearl. The Beatles weren't just a band to her, and none of her favorites were. They were conduits, bringing beauty and understanding to a world that needed it: the soundtrack of life.

Shelley was a firm believer in education and betterment through it. In adulthood, she achieved her Bachelor's in History and, later, a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Diverse Populations.

Shelley moved from Front Royal to Little River, SC with her immediate family. Like Shelley tends to do, she found a whole lot more family there too. It wasn't just the culmination of a lifelong goal of living at the beach. She found others, and more of herself, especially through her work where she was dedicated, competent, and capable.

Whatever else was happening in her life, Shelley always tried her best to ensure the happiness of her children, all of them. She kept up Easter baskets and Christmas stockings well into their adulthood. Although separated through distance, she was always available for a Facetime call to witness a grandchild’s milestone or a phone call to support her children through life’s curveballs, big and small.

She spent her final days between a couple of places and a couple of groups of people she loved and who loved her. At home, with her youngest child, Abby, who was more than a best friend to her and her mother who loved her through it all. In her final moments, she was surrounded again by friends and coworkers who fought hard for her.

Shelley was preceded in death by her father, Gordon “Rick” Reynolds, and her maternal grandparents Eugene and Jean Rotolone. She is survived by her mother, Dena Reynolds; her brother, Richard Reynolds; her four children, Kacie Martin, Dakota Martin (Michelle Murgia), Kaitlin Martin, and Abby Reynolds; two more she proudly held as her own, Brittany Campbell and Justus Marshall; her former sister-in-law and forever family, Rebecca Nichols; her two nephews, Zachary Reynolds and Dallas Reynolds; her grandchildren, Gemma Martin, Pearl Martin, and George Martin; and a myriad of others she considered family.

Shelley was cremated. The family held a small service at her favorite beach spot, Cherry Grove Point. As they did for her father, they made a wreath and set it afloat to drift with the tide. A group of odds and ends, family and friends. Most of the family had never met most of the friends, and the other way around. They gathered together for Shelley anyway. Shelley had obviously touched everyone's lives deeply. Again and again, people who'd never met said the same thing: "Shelley was EVERYBODY's best friend."

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Trevor Project.