Vernoy Reynolds

Vernoy Bott Reynolds was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on December 10, 1926 to loving parents, Matthew and Pearl Bott.   Vernoy grew up in Collinsville, Illinois with her younger sister, Mary Louise.  Through the US Army Cadet Corps program, Vernoy received her diploma in nursing from Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis 1947.  Following graduation, she moved to Dallas, TX to work at the Baylor University Hospital.  It was there she met Kermit Reynolds, a dental student from Harperville, MS.  He had been admitted for an emergency appendectomy.  Love, respect, and admiration developed and they were married December 21, 1950 at First Baptist Church in Collinsville, IL.  This “little church on the corner” was very influential in Vernoy’s life, also her pastor Rev. Percy Ray.  At age 11, she realized that even though she knew a lot about God and Jesus, she did not know Jesus as her Lord and Savior.   Vernoy went forward in the church, and ask Jesus to be her Savior and committed her life to Jesus and His will for her life.  Her favorite verse: John 10:10 “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” God keeps His promise of an abundant life as Vernoy and Kermit settled in Forest, MS.   Dr. Kermit had a busy dental practice for 50 years.

They were blessed with four children.  First, Ellen Smith, lives in Houston, TX married to John Smith and have two beautiful girls, Whitney and (Sarah & Patricio Tarrazas).  Second, Phyllis Dilley, lives in Southaven, MS married to Ricky Dilley and have three children, (Adam & Jessica with Grayson and Hayes), (Erin with Anna Blair), and Jonas.  Third, Randy Reynolds, lives in Forest, MS and is married to Cindy Woodruff and they were blessed with three boys, (Matt & Sami with Tatum), (Nathan & Lauren), and (Luke & Raeanna).  Finally, Kevin Reynolds also of Forest, MS is married to Patty Bagwell and they have two boys, (Kurt & Robbye Ann) and (Ky & Casey).  Kermit and Vernoy had an abundant life serving the Lord every day in Forest, as well as several dental mission trips around the world.

God blessed them with 63 years of marriage, before He took Kermit to be with Him on October 22, 2014.  Vernoy loved serving others in Big A, Forest Baptist Church, and the Forest Elementary School.

Mrs. Reynolds passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 at the St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson, MS.

She is survived by all her children (above) and her sister, Mary Louise Fedder.

Vernoy’s wish for you is to know God’s abundant life He has in store for you through His loving grace in His son, Jesus Christ.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm – 2:45 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Trinity Hall Parlor at Forest Baptist Church, 439 East First Street, Forest, MS 39074, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm in the church sanctuary. Dr. Scott Fortenberry will officiate the service.

Interment will follow in the Harperville Memorial Park with Matt Reynolds, Nathan Reynolds, Kurt Reynolds, Ky Reynolds, Luke Reynolds, Jonas Dilley, Adam Dilley, and Patricio Terrazas serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Forest Baptist Church Mission Fund, P.O. Box 338, Forest, MS 39074.

Services are being provided by Ott & Lee Funeral Home, 295 East First St., Forest, MS 39074.