Eldridge Walter Reynolds

Eldridge Walter Reynolds, 86, of Austinville went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2009, at the Wythe County Community Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Wythe County on December 14, 1922, a son of the late Ewell and Maude Coleman Reynolds. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers and five sisters. He was a member of the Graham's Forge United Methodist and was a retired purchasing agent from Pulaski Community Hospital. Eldridge received the Purple Heart while serving with the Seabees attached to the 4th Division, United States Marines during World War II. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Annie Ayers Reynolds; two daughters and their husbands, Ruth Ann Leonard (Dick), of Asheville, N.C., and Sandra Wilhoit (Norman), of Wytheville; one son, E.W. Reynolds Jr., of Grahams Forge; two sisters Rachel Cline, of Wytheville, and Dorothy Reichenbach, of Pennsylvania. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Tammy Keith (Larry) E.W. Reynolds III, Billy Lovell and David Lovell (Tracy). Eight greatgrandchildren, Tanner, Caitlin, Connor, Lexie, Mackenzie, Nicole, Ethan and Evan. Numerous nieces and nephews and friends also survive. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 1, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home or at the residence in Austinville at anytime. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Barnett Funeral Home on Monday, February 2, 2009, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ray Bolen and the Rev. Norman Wilhoit officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lead Mines Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 502, Austinville, Va. 24312 or Grahams Forge United Methodist Church, c/o Carol Ball, 1389 Red Hollow Road, Max Meadows, Va. 24360. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.