Mildred Lee Reynolds, 90, of Whitewater died peacefully Sunday, July 26, 2020, at her home.
She was born Sept. 13, 1929, in Whitewater to Lee and Desdia Nance Proffer. On Nov. 6, 1953, Mildred married Gary Reynolds, and together they had two children, Carla and Scott.
Mildred graduated from Delta High School in 1946, earned her bachelor's and master's degrees with honors from Southeast Missouri State University, and retired after teaching primarily second grade for 42 years. She began teaching at the age of 18 at Needmore, near Gordonville, in a one-room schoolhouse serving grades one through eight. She then taught four grades at Whitewater and finished her teaching career in the Delta School District.
Mildred loved reading and teaching. She also enjoyed playing piano for Whitewater United Methodist Church, where she played for over 70 years, and was a lifelong member of 76 years.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Reynolds of the home; son, Scott (Pam) Reynolds of Whitewater; three grandchildren, Crystal (Nick) Clayton of Plano, Texas, Kyle (Kylie) Reynolds of Forsyth, Illinois, and Garret (Haylee) Reynolds of Bedford, Texas; and one great-grandchild, Vivanne Clayton of Plano.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Carla; and special cousin, Arthur Ray Proffer.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, followed by the funeral at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Don Kuehle officiating. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Proffer Cemetery in Crump.
Memorial contributions may be given to Whitewater United Methodist Church, Crown Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.
In addition, the family requests those in attendance please wear face coverings.
To sign the online guest book or to send an online condolence to the family, visit McCombs Funeral Home website at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com; then click on the TRIBUTE WALL tab of Mildred's personal obituary.
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