Obituary of Coy Monroe Reynolds, Grant Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Jackie Dill Date: 2 Aug 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Coy Monroe Reynolds Mr. Coy Monroe Reynolds, 91, of Prattsville, Ark., passed away Dec. 17, 2001, at the Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton. He was born April 18, 1910, at Prattsville to his parents, Monroe A.C. and Ida Mae Whitten Reynolds. He was a lifelong resident of Prattsville where he raised his family and owned and operated Reynolds Store until his retirement in 1975. He was a member of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law: Danny and Jan Reynolds of Prattsville; daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Phillip Holiman of Prattsville, Darlene and David Clark of North Little Rock, and Charlotte and Gary Shoptaw of Prattsville; brother: Robert Reynolds of Benton; and sister: Rita Gill of Farmersville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife: Clarice Reynolds; wife: Corine Tucker Reynolds; his twin brother: Roy Reynolds; sisters: Marie Pumphrey and Ava Mooney; and grandson: Barret Shoptaw. Mr. Reynolds and his twin brother Roy were the oldest sons of the family and were 13-years-old when their father died. He worked the family farm, picked cotton, and did other odd jobs to help support his mother, grandmother, younger sister and brother. He remained a bachelor until he met Clarice Taliaferro, who had come to the community to teach in the one room Sweet Home School. They were married May 25, 1940. The young couple purchased a local general store which provided a living for their family for the next 35 years. He did leave the store in the hands of his young wife while he served his country in the Army during World War II. His tour of duty took him to China and India. Reynolds store served as a social center in the Sweet Home community, second only to the church. People came there to buy gas, groceries, feed for livestock, dry goods, hardware or just to pass the time of day. Mr. Reynolds, known to young and old alike as Coy could often be counted on for a personal loan to help a family buy a needed home, car, pay medical bills, and the groceries were almost sold "on credit" until payday. Coy was in the store from before sun up to sun down, seven days a week, always closing to attend church services. The family took a one week vacation annually in the late summer, when they traveled to various tourist destinations in the mid-south. The demands of running the store did not keep him from taking an active role in church and community. He served as choir director of the Sweet Home Church for many years and until recently could be found there every Sunday still singing with that beautiful tenor voice. Mr. Reynolds was also elected to the Prattsville School Board which he served as president. An avid sports fan, he followed closely the Arkansas Razorback teams, the St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and, of course, the Prattsville Whippets. Customers in the store would often hear a ball game broadcast on the ever-present radio. In recent years, he could be found on weekday mornings at the domino table at the Grant County Senior Citizens Center in Sheridan, where he enjoyed the fellowship of a great many friends. He enjoyed his garden which was always a source of pride and wonderful fresh vegetables. A summer visit to his home would almost always include a tour of the garden to admire, and usually share in the bounty of his garden. A loving and supportive father and grandfather, he was an encouragement to his children and grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments. Funeral services were held Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville with Bro. Don Goodman officiating. Burial was at Philadelphia Cemetery by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Pallbearers were grandsons: Brent Holiman, Jeff Clark, Jared Shoptaw, and nephews: Bill White, Joe Pumphrey and Gary Reynolds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund.