Sherry Ann Reynolds

FORT WORTH - Late in the evening of Monday, July 22, Sherry Ann Reynolds (Cotton) passed away peacefully in her home of 50 years. Sherry was born on August 17, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived out her life as a beloved family member, friend, neighbor, and teacher. She was the second daughter of Leonard Reese Cotton and Mary Dema McCrary. As a child, she liked roller skating, riding the bus downtown with sister Yvonne to go to tap dance lessons, and looking out for younger brother Larry.
Sherry graduated from Poly High School in 1956. Dozens of classmates, writing in her senior year annual, saluted Sherry for being the "kindest" and "nicest" and "sweetest" and "most wonderful" girl. Almost 70 years later, Sherry continued to earn these accolades on a daily basis, beaming her beautiful smile up to the day of her passing. Sherry graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in elementary education; later she earned a master's degree in art education from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Sherry married her high school sweetheart Randy Reynolds, and became mother to three children: Marcie, Julie, and John. She strove to instill her virtues in her kids: always be kind, always have something nice to say, always be honest. And later, by her example, love your children fully and unconditionally. Her steadfast love was the foundation on which they built their lives. She extended her care and love to other children as a devoted K-12 teacher, where she molded the minds and manners of young learners at Fort Worth's White Lake School, Como Elementary, Atwood Elementary, and her church's preschool program.
Sherry was blessed by a lifelong connection to Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church and the kindness of her neighbors. Her life was enriched through a deep love of books, art, music, theater, and miniature collectibles. She cherished time at the beach enjoying the sea breeze and the soothing sounds of the surf or taking morning walks in search of shells. But her greatest joy was her grandkids: Kaleigh, Jonathan, David, Jessica, Jack, Jenna, and Sophia (Ria). Time spent with "Granny" meant arts and crafts, plays and singing, games and puzzles-memories of which her family will always treasure. If you peered in her bay window around Christmas time, you'd likely catch sight of a Granny-directed production of A Christmas Carol, grandkids bent over their graham cracker gingerbread houses under construction, or a flurry of ornate snowflakes being cut out of printer paper.
Sherry took care of many people during her life, including her mother, her sister and her brother as they became frail and passed on before her. The family is deeply comforted that she was able to rest and be taken care of by others in the evening of her life. The roster of those who made her last years the best they could be is long indeed, with some key names on that list being her three children and son-in-law, Sean, her neighbors (Cindy, Skeeter, Malcolm, Grey), and her caregivers (Evadell, Joann, Marquisha, April).
Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, sister Yvonne McChesney, and brother Larry Cotton.
Her survivors include daughters Marcie Reynolds and Julie Joyce and Julie's husband Sean; son John Reynolds and his wife Susan; seven grandchildren and grandkid spouses Justin and Rachel; and great-grandson Elliot.
A service celebrating Sherry's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, at Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, with a brief reception at the church following the service.
Sherry generously donated to many causes; those who might wish to make a donation in her memory are encouraged to consider donating to Meadowbrook-Poly (https://www.meadowbrookpoly.org/donate), where Sherry was baptized and married, and will now be remembered for her many virtues and beautiful spirit.