Lucy Marie Reynolds, family matriarch
Lucy Marie Reynolds, 83, of Georgetown transititioned into her glorified body Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019, at 7:01 a.m. at the Arcadia Renaissance Rehabilitation Facility in Millsboro.
“Lucy, Juicy, Tator, Mom and Nana,” which is what many us knew her by, was born July 4, 1935, to the late Luretha Goodman and Woodrow Sparrow Sr., but was raised by her father F.L. Beacham in Dotham, Ala. (Houston County). The union of Luretha and F.L. brought forth a blended family of 13 children. While in Alabama, Juicy earned her primary education at East Island Elementary before attending Carver High School in Dotham, Ala. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Lucy only completed the 11th grade, but was able to complete her high school diploma in 1987 at Sussex Technical High School Adult Education Program in Georgetown.
Early in life, she accepted Christ as her Savior at Trinity Baptist Church in Alabama. On April 6, 1956, Lucy met and married the love of her life, Willie O. Reynolds of Enterprise, Ala. In 1959, they moved to Orlando, Fla., during which time they started their blended family which resulted in nine children. Upon moving to Delaware, Lucy enjoyed doing many things. She first joined Bethel AME Church in Milton before joining St. Peter’s and Friends in Cool Spring.
Besides spending time with her family and friends, she loved traveling and singing. The love she had for singing led her to join the Heavenlyetts, St. Peter’s and Friends Choir, and the Sussex Community Choir, where her voice would wake up anyone from here to those heavenly Golden Gates.
At any given time, it was nothing for Juicy to say “Let’s ride, but I don’t have no money.” Her favorite quotes are “But I have to go down each aisle just in case there’s a sale," or “My spirit doesn’t lead me wrong.” That meant somebody done ran their mouth about something in the family and it was time for you to come to Jesus meeting. Everyone knows that Lucy loved Value City and Walmart. After five hours in the store, 300 items later, we would finally reach the register to pay for three things, but it was all in love.
Tator gained most of her experience caring for other people by working as a housekeeper in both Alabama and Delaware, before briefly gaining employment at Draper King Cole in Milton. Later she landed a position for the State of Delaware at Stockley Center, which allowed her to retire after many years. No wonder why caring for people came so easy for her as she always told us “You treat people the way you want to be treated,” which easily earned her the title of Mom to so many. To know her was to love her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Willie Reynolds; two daughters, Ophelia Reynolds and Susie Reynolds; a grandson Travis Reynolds; three brothers, Junior Woodrow Beacham, Walter Joe Beacham and Robert Beacham; and three sisters Eveleen Biggham, Mary Harrington and Judy James.
Lucy leaves to cherish her memories, two daughters Martha Matthews (Walter) of Salisbury, Md., and Diane Byrd (late James Byrd); one sister/daughter Maxine King (Cecil); five sons Larry Reynolds (Nancy) and Willie F. Reynolds(Rhonda) all of Delaware, Willie Jerome Reynolds (Cynthia) of Georgia, Darryl Paul Reynolds and Maylene Reynolds of Alabama; two brothers, J.Y. Beacham (Geraldine) of Atlanta, Ga., and Albert Sparrow of Danville, Va;, two sisters, Nettie Mosley and Pearl Avera both of Orlando, Fla.; three godchildren Sandy Hazzard, Carol Coles, and Thomas Ricketts, all of Delaware, 25 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren, as well as a host of family, friends.
Viewing will be held Friday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Jesus is Lord Church of Deliverance 40 Ingramtown Road, Georgetown. Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to service at Jesus Is Lord Church of Deliverance.
Professional service entrusted to Bennie Smith, Millsboro.
To offer words of comfort, or sign the guest book visit http://www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com.
