Elsie Reynolds

Mrs. Elsie Ellen Charlotte McLain Reynolds passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, at the age of 86, at Green Park Residence Center in St. Louis.

She was born in Cape Girardeau to Charles Augustus McLain and Avia Ellen Slinkard McLain May 16, 1915. She married Henry John Reynolds Jr., son of Henry J. Reynolds Sr. and Mary C. Donnelly Reynolds Nov. 23, 1939, at St. Vincent's Church. He preceded her in death in 1968.

Elsie resided in Cape Girardeau all her life until 1998, when she moved to St. Louis near the home of her daughter.

She attended schools in Cape Girardeau, graduating from Central High School in 1933.

Elsie became a beautician and worked at Strain's Beauty Shop. After the birth of her son, she was a homemaker for many years. She was active in St. Vincent's Church and school functions, pursued oil painting and was an excellent seamstress. She later worked in retail sales primarily at JCPenney and Zickfield's.

After retirement, Elsie traveled within the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. She also did extensive genealogy research. She was descended from several Cape Girardeau area early pioneer families including the McLain, Byrd, McClard, Slinkard, Hubble, Proctor, Brown and Strong families.

Elsie was a former member of the Nancy Hunter chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was currently a member of the Olde Towne Fenton chapter. She was also a past member of the Cape Girardeau County Genealogy Society, the Cape Girardeau Historical Society, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nora L. Reynolds (Michael L.) Zimmer of St. Louis; son and daughter-in-law, Michael S. (Elizabeth) Reynolds of Minneapolis, Minn.; four grandchildren, Mark D. McSwain and Allison M. Zimmer of St. Louis, Susan K. Reynolds and Scott S. Reynolds of Minneapolis; a great-grandchild, Bret D. McSwain; two stepgrandchildren, Mark D. (Sheila Wunning) Zimmer of St. Louis, Amanda (C.B.) Zimmer Long of Dexter, Mo.; four great-stepgrandchildren, Emily, Ashley and Samantha Long, and Julia Wunning-Zimmer.

Elsie is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Eula S. "Judy" McLain Masterson Watson of Bakersfield, Calif.; a niece, Jean Ann Masterson Thompson, and nephew, Don H. Masterson of Bakersfield; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul (Frances) Reynolds of Plano, Texas, Tom (Ruth) Reynolds of Cape Girardeau, John (Colleen) Reynolds, Mrs. Lillian (the late Richard) Reynolds of Chicago, Martha (the late Patrick) Reynolds of Bluff, Utah, and Mattie (the late William) Reynolds of Gary, Ind.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel. Parish prayers will be said at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Old St. Vincent's Church, with Monsignor Richard Rolwing officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.