Ethel Renee Reynolds' Obituary
Renee Reynolds, Momma to some, Nahni to all, finished the work she was given to do, going home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus, at 12:07 AM, on Monday, the 30th of October, in the year of our Lord, 2023. She passed peacefully at her home in Broken Arrow at the age of 70.
Ethel Renee Bryant came into this world on September 6, 1953 in Kissimmee, Florida. Born the sixth of 10 children to Bertie Lou Vann, she would spend the majority of her formative years in Oregon and Washington. Her siblings say she had an early love for the finer things in life, loved to act and sing, was never afraid of anything, and thankfully, complimenting all these qualities, was also in possession of a healthy imagination, which proved useful whenever it might become necessary to explain one of her occasional, slight missteps.
During her 20s, a search for peace and belonging, coupled with an adventurous courage, would lead her across the nation, where she lived in places as wide ranging as Wyoming, New York, Texas and California, before eventually making her way back to the northwest. Far greater than this experience, and occurring at a still tender age, would be the birth of her three sons, Michael, Robert and Douglas, who she would love sacrificially and faithfully through all her days.
In her 30's, Renee followed her mother and sister Christine, to Oklahoma, where she would spend the rest of her life.
Though Renee could, over the course of time, boast of vocations as varied as 911 dispatcher to New York cabbie, no title could ever approach defining her more than those assigned by her family and friends. Mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, friend… these are the things she gave herself the most to, and whether her time at any given moment was being occupied by employment or relationship, fidelity, diligence, meticulousness, sacrifice and love were the hallmarks of her character.
With the many things that can and have been said of her, the most consistent things are that she would and did, do just about anything, for just about anybody, at just about any cost. Renee didn’t just have a big heart, she was a big heart. She was a helper in time of need, even through her own pain, knowing but careless that reciprocation would never, indeed, often could never come. She was a ready and eager encourager, who celebrated the success of others regardless of her own lot. She gave what she had, even when in need herself. Not known for giving up on others, Momma loved well. She also loved to have a good laugh.
When considering that which, in her life and of her substance could be called praiseworthy, or lovely, Renee would be the first to give credit to The One who she would come to know as her Savior, Confidant and Friend, Jesus. It is without doubt that He was her cornerstone, and the one who would show her the same patience, hope, love and forgiveness, that she would eventually need to display to, and for others. Though at times Renee would have serious doubts about her worthiness, still, she loved and hoped in Christ to her very last breath. Thank our merciful God, now at everlasting peace and joy with Him, she doubts no more.
Renee was survived by her sons, (Michael, Douglas and Robert Bryant) her grandchildren, (Douglas, Caleb and Sullivan Bryant) her brothers, (James Bryant, James and Keith Agnew, Alfred and Bobby Wick) and her sisters (Shirley Gragert, Christine Hutchinson and Janie Sueoka). Nahni was also survived in no small way by many of those who knew her, for she rarely met anyone she couldn’t think of as family, so special consideration to all of you hearing these words.
Renee was preceded in death by her mother, (Bertie Lou Vann) her dad, (Alfred Chalmer Wick) her biological father, (Homer Harrison Agnew) and her sister (Sheila keys).
Robert and Douglas would like to thank those who supported and comforted both their mom and them during these last several weeks, and say a special thank you to the Bryant and Agnew families, especially Nathan and Julie, for the warm embrace given their mother and themselves at the end of her life.
Though we know we will meet her again and are truly happy for her present new life, still it is too little to say... she will be missed always.
Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 pm, Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel
To view the service via webcasting use the link below:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/94361/hash:F9407C9DCC72E515
What’s your fondest memory of Ethel?
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Share a story where Ethel's kindness touched your heart.
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