Marlene Joyce Reynolds

Marlene Joyce Lavis Reynolds, age 86. Born in El Paso Texas September 15, 1937, to Henry and Jeanette Lavis.  After a long battle with Alzheimer's, died on May 4, 2024 at the age of 86 under hospice care at Melissa's House in Austin, Texas.

Marlene Reynolds grew up in El Paso, Texas, graduated from El Paso High School on May 26, 1955.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Western, and earned her master’s degree in Library Science University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She went on to be the head librarian for the Wilson County Public Library in Floresville, Texas, head librarian at Temple Beth El library and at the Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio. She married Jay Reynolds on November 20, 1961.  She is survived by her two children Tera (Kerry Jetmore) and Sheldon Reynolds (Nena Chandler), granddaughter Kezia Jetmore and grandson Jay Henry Jetmore. Marlene was a proud Yellow Dog Democrat, feminist and reform Jew. She was a firm supporter of the ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center and Planned Parenthood.  

 Marlene was a nice, caring, humorous person with an ability to make people around her laugh and feel good about themselves.  She was sorely missed when she had to leave her San Antonio independent living apartment to move closer to her son in Austin, with one reception staff sobbing upon hearing the news of her departure.  Even in the vicious advanced stages of Alzheimer's the kindness and humor of Marlene would shine through, long enough to know her caring heart was still there to give a compliment, or to make you laugh. She truly left the world a better place and her love, humor and caring will live on. 

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am on Sunday, May 12, 2024

 at Temple Mount Sinai Cemetery, 3911 Gateway West, El Paso, Texas, 79903

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Cure Alzheimer's Fund or The Alzheimer's Association