Carrie Jean Reynolds

Obituary
Carrie Jean Reynolds was born Carrie Jean Lyles on March 31, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio. She departed this life on September 23, 2022 at Grant Hospital in Columbus. Carrie, known to family and friends as “Carrie Jean” was born to the union of Alberta and Robert Lyles, the oldest of nine children. As a child she exhibited an affinity and talent for music which her parents encouraged and managed to hire a piano teacher to give her lessons. Music would play a large part in her later life. In school, in addition to being an avid reader, she also excelled in sports, particularly volleyball. It was during her adolescence that she also assisted her mother in the care and raising of her younger siblings. At one point the family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it was there she met Robert Reynolds. They became high school sweethearts and on December 11, 1948 they married. This union would last 36 years.
While Carrie and Robert were building a life for themselves in Pittsburgh, two children, Kathleen and Marva, were born to this union. The family would later relocate to Columbus and Carrie would give birth to three more children, Regina, Robert Jr., and Terri. For a few years to supplement the family income, Carrie would do domestic work. In 1967 she would be hired as a clerk in the men’s and boy’s wear department at Woolco department store. In 1970 her sister Bonita informed her that Western Electric (later AT&T) was hiring and she worked there as an assembler in the switching department. She was employed there from 1970 to 1985, sometimes working other jobs between temporary layoffs. In 1985 she was hired as an electronic assembler by Scientific Columbus, from which she would retire in 1994.
The role of music in Carrie’s life was a significant one. She loved to play the piano and that led to her becoming the pianist for the choir for Southfield Baptist Church in the 1960’s for a few years. She later became a member of the Columbus, Ohio branch of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research (IDMR). When the Institute’s founder, Dr. Henry C. Kinley expressed his desire that each school’s branch have a choir if possible, the Dean of the Columbus branch at the time, Dr. Walter Miller asked Carrie to be the pianist and co-director (along with her husband Robert) for the Columbus branch choir. She accepted the role, eventually becoming the sole choir director and it was a role she grew to cherish for more than three decades. She also served as the Columbus branch school’s treasurer at the same time. Carrie was a devout member of the IDMR and attended classes regularly until heath issues would not allow her to do so.
Carrie was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Alberta Lyles, her brothers Robert, Richard, Leo, her sister Linda Lyles and her former husband, Robert Reynolds Sr. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sister Bonita Hill, her brothers David (Jessie), Charles (Betty) and Gerald (Tonda) Lyles; her children Kathleen, Marva (Douglas) Cassell, Regina Morris, Robert Jr. and Terri Reynolds; her companion Johnny Johnson; her grandchildren Christina Reynolds, Terra and Erin Cassell; her nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.
Carrie was a kind, loving woman with a generous spirit. Her wisdom was abundant and people often sought her advice. Her presence alone gave comfort to those she loved. And while she never was one to tell a joke, she had a terrific sense of humor. Her warm smile and willingness to help friends and family who asked for her help will be missed, but she will live on in memory to all who knew and loved her.

Acknowledgements
The family of Carrie Jean Reynolds would like to thank everyone for their acts of kindness during our bereavement. A special thanks to Marlan Gary and everyone at the Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home, The Chapel of Peace for all they have done to make this difficult time easier for all of us. Thank you to all of you who have expressed your condolences and offered your support during this time of loss.

Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.