Mary Owen Reynolds

Mary Owen Reynolds was born January 6, 1934, in Palmer, TN, and she passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at her residence in Cookeville, TN at the age of 89.

She was the daughter of the late Floyd Newton Owen and Rossie Burr Ackerman Owen. She was married to the late Dr. Buddy Reynolds, who passed away October 25, 2021. Mrs. Reynolds was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cookeville, TN.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her Brother: Robert Owen; and Sisters: Minnie Ruth Black, Carolyn Hazel, and Betty Lou Roberts.

Survivors include her Sons: James B. (Eileen) Reynolds, MD of St. Joseph, MO, and Patrick S. (Sunee) Reynolds, MD of Lewisburg, NC; Daughter: Amanda S. Reynolds of Cookeville, TN; Sister: Rosalyn Little of Smithville, TN; Grandchildren: Brad (Ashley) Reynolds, DVM, Ryan Reynolds, and Alexandra Holt; and Great Grandchildren: Olympia Reynolds and Eleanor Reynolds.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 1 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home, with visitation from 12 Noon until time of services. The family has chosen cremation, with interment in the Granville Cemetery following the service.  Rev. Tom Little will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arbor Foundation or AARF by contacting the funeral home.

Mary attended Tennessee Tech for two years and began a career as a schoolteacher in Palmer, Tennessee. When she went back to Tech to finish her degree she met a young aspiring Army officer, Buddy Reynolds. The pair wed on February 27, 1960, and she transitioned to life as an “Army wife.” Over the years she followed her husband in his career as a Paratrooper and Green Beret, and later as an Army Veterinarian. She shepherded her family as they moved 18 times over 20 years before settling in Cookeville, TN, in 1979. Her busy life had little time for pleasure trips, but she did enjoy a tour across Europe with high school students, and a memorable vacation to Alaska with her sisters.

Mary raised her children to be successful, conscientious citizens. She also had a soft heart for animals and adopted and raised various dogs, cats, and goldfish, as well as a hamster and a snake. She was a surrogate mother to several nieces, nephews, and family friends who came to Cookeville to attend college or work at the veterinary clinic; and her house was always welcoming for a dinner, a night away, or just to drop by and say hello.

Mary was very artistic, and was particularly known to write humorous or touching poems for current events, get-togethers, or pets. She enjoyed nature and feeding her birds, feral animals and just being outside and enjoying the world.

Mary should be remembered as a strong person who always put her family first. She loved literature and trees and wildlife, and stray pets. She never thought of herself as growing “old.” She preferred her grandchildren to call her “Grand Mary,” she couldn’t bear to think of herself as a “grandmother.” But she definitely considered herself the matriarch of our clan and was always welcoming to family and friends with the family home a hub of activities and get-togethers. Everyone who knew her will miss her enthusiasm for life and the love she had for her family, friends, nature and good fellowship.

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 931-268-1550