Doris Reynolds

Doris Reynolds, beloved Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and friend to many….took her place with God’s angels on December 5, 2021. She was 96 years old.

Doris was born on April 19, 1925 in Uvalde, Texas to Clara and Lee Graves of Uvalde. She was the 5th of nine children. She grew up in Uvalde, graduating in 1943. She attended Texas Women’s University and the University of Texas in Austin; and earned her degree in Education and English from Sul Ross University.

She married her husband, Terry Reynolds, in 1945….they were happily married until his passing in 1998.

Upon marrying Dad, the couple moved to San Antonio. Dad worked with horses and livestock. Later, they moved back to the Uvalde area where Dad worked on ranches in Montel and Bracketville; and Mom raised the two young children (Kathie and Bill).

In 1953, the family moved way out to far west Texas where Dad was ranch foreman on a ranch in Kent, TX. To say that they we were “out in the country” would be an understatement. Their ranch house was over 50 miles from the nearest town, and 10 of that was on a rough dirt road. Mom tended to the children and tried not to step on any rattlesnakes that would occasionally appear from underneath the house. She also was able to get accustomed to other wild animals (deer and mountain lions) appearing on the property.

While living on the ranch, she gave birth to two other children, Jimmy and Matt. She also began her teaching career by home-schooling Kathie and Bill (Mom was home schooling before it became fashionable!). In 1957, the decision was made to move to town (Van Horn), so that Mom could get a teaching job that paid, and Dad could start a business.

The family of 6 had many wonderful years in the little town of Van Horn. All 4 children grew up there and graduated from High School. Mom became a beloved teacher….having taught 1st grade and 5th grade during her time there. God placed her on planet Earth to be a teacher and mentor. And she was one of the best….having made positive impact on hundreds of her students over the years. So many of those students have grown up to be successful and remember fondly their time with Mom as their teacher. We have been told by so many that Mom was the best teacher they ever had. She had a talent and gift for education, whether in school or out. Growing up, she never failed to correct any of us kids if we spoke incorrectly, made a grammar error, or misspelled a word……always teaching!

Those years in VH were filled with backyard barbeques, bridge games, and lots of really special friends. She and Dad helped to found the first Episcopal Church in VH. She was a devout Christian and remained true to her faith her entire life.

In 1978, Mom and Dad moved back to their hometown of Uvalde, where Mom taught for the remainder of her career in Batesville Schools.

In addition to educating the youth of America, her other interest included oil painting (she was quite the artist), working crossword puzzles and other word games, and keeping up with friends and family, which she cherished deeply.

Fond recollections:

She never said an unkind word about anyone….if she had a negative thought about someone, she would never utter it.
As large as her extended family was, she always amazed us that she knew everyone’s birthdays….she said the reason she was able to remember so many, was because she prayed for every single one of them every single day.
She claims to have spanked Matthew McConaughey (yes, THAT one) when he was a kid….a claim that we haven’t been able to substantiate!
Anyone who ever met Mom, liked her….you couldn’t NOT like her…and she loved everyone that she came into contact with.
Mom was not opposed to sipping on a bourbon and enjoying a cigarette while sitting around the table discussing the issues of the day. Those table-side problem solving episodes were probably some of her most happy moments.
She always welcomed visitors into her home (expected and unexpected) with a shout “Come in this house”, a big smile, and an enthusiastic hug.
As one of 9 children, there was a lot of love to go around in the Graves house. She not only dearly loved her siblings, but had a huge respect and admiration for each of them, and their successes. She cherished all of her nieces and nephews, and took great pride in them as well.
And of course, she was overjoyed each time another grandchild or great grandchild was born….she loved them so,  and never missed a birthday for any of them, usually sending a card with some cash.

It is difficult to put into words just how much Mom meant to so many people. She was the epitome of grace, humility, honesty, and integrity. She was much more interested in how she could help others, than she was in doing something for herself. She was a caring and loving person who will be terribly missed.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband Terry, son William, and grandson Josh as well as 7 siblings (Lee, Jack, Ethel, Betty, George, William, and James). She is survived by daughter Kathleen Carr (Uvalde), son Jim (Therese of Ft. Worth), son Matt (Dina of Boerne), 7 grandchildren (Zac, Jeffrey, Bobby, Ben, Blake, Ryan, Billy) and 8 great grandchildren (Luke, Brock, Mick, Zeke, Drake, Jack, Luke, Reece), sister Mary (Concan), and a whole host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives, along with countless friends.

A graveside service will be held at the Montel Cemetery on December 10 for immediate family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Phillips Episcopal School in Uvalde; or to the Uvalde Library.

The family would like to thank the Management and staff of 214 Martin St. Assisted Living for taking such good care of Mom during her time there. Mom’s last days were spent at Saunders Sr. Living in Uvalde….so grateful for the staff who made sure Mom was comfortable and cared for. We are also appreciative of the help and guidance of Uvalde Hospice.