Mary Lou Reynolds

Mary Lou Reynolds
Executive Director
Augusta Chapter
American Red Cross

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Miss Mary Lou Reynolds, 96, daughter of the late William Baron Reynolds and Ada Spears Reynolds.

Miss Reynolds was a native of Lamar, SC and came to Augusta in 1945. She graduated from Columbia College with a double major in French and education. She taught school in Chesterfield County, SC, for two years. But social service tugged at her heart, so she entered Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville, TN and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work. After that she was assigned by the Methodist Mission Board as missionary to work in Oklahoma with the Choctaw Indians.

Mary Lou joined the military branch of the American Red Cross in the midst of World War II. After training at American University in Washington, DC; she served at Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, GA. For 10 years, she was transferred to five military hospitals in Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. During this period she received additional training in Psychiatric case work at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC and medical case work at Brook Army Medical Hospital at San Antonio, TX. While at Ft. Bragg, NC, she was promoted to Field Director and transferred to McDill Air Force Hospital, Tampa, FL, and later to Ft. Gordon, GA.

In 1954, Mary Lou accepted the position of Executive Director of the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross. During the next 28 ½ years, under her leadership, there were many innovative and exciting programs. Among those were the building of the Augusta Chapter’s first owned headquarters; the outstanding youth program beginning with Aquinas Catholic High School students, St. Joseph Hospital, and the Adult Red Cross Volunteers. It grew to include all the local hospitals and turned into a nationwide “Candy Striper” program making it possible for young students to explore interests in medical settings as a possible career and to volunteer their services.

Mary Lou retired in 1983 and she was granted the title of lifetime member of the Board of Directors of the Augusta Chapter. Also, she received “Social Worker of the Year” by the Augusta Chapter of National Association of Social Work; and the Liberty Bell Award by the Augusta Bar Association. Earlier she was listed in “Who’s Who of American Women”. She was presented the community services award from Ft. Gordon and a certificate of Achievement from Eisenhower Medical Center.

Mary Lou joined St. John United Methodist Church in 1954 and served the church in various capacities. She was a member of the Administrative Board, Youth Leader, Sunday School teacher and member of the United Methodist Women. She loved her church.

Family members include sister: Edna Constance “Connie” Nelson of Madison, WI; nephew: Robert R. Nelson (Hiroko) of DeForest, WI and his daughter Emily; niece: Margaret R. Newman and family of Sumter, SC; sister-in-law: Ingrid Reynolds of Bonn, Germany; step-nephew: John E. Scarborough of Lamar, SC.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary DeMore officiating. Interment will be in her family plot in Lamar Cemetery, Lamar, SC.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John United Methodist Church, 736 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30907; or to the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1322 Ellis Street, Augusta, GA 30901.

The family will receive friends Saturday for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the church.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com