Bobbie Reynolds

Bobbie Jean Waller Reynolds, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family in her home in Thornton, Texas, on Saturday, August 8, 2020.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 10, at 10:00 a.m. at Thornton Central Baptist Church with Brother Tracy Sims officiating. Interment will follow in Thornton Cemetery.

Bobbie was born to John Burton and Cora Lee Rogers Waller on July 16, 1928, in the home of her maternal grandparents in Mart, Texas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Frances Elizabeth Waller Briggs, and one brother, John Burton Waller, Jr.  She was a proud Kosse Greyhound, Class of 1945.  Shortly after graduation, she moved to Dallas and began employment at Texas Children’s Hospital, but the big city was not for her—she rode the bus home to Kosse each weekend.  After one long year, she gave up city life and returned to Kosse to resume working at the pharmacy with her uncles.  Soon after her return, she began dating D. T. Reynolds from Thornton.  At their first date, Bobbie quickly let D. T. know that she would never marry a farmer; however, D. T.’s persistence caused her to change her mind, and the couple married in Kosse on January 19, 1949.  Bobbie quickly embraced farm life but still maintained an eye for fashion and worked at the clothing store in Groesbeck for several years. She began her lengthy career with the U. S. Postal Service in the early 1950s and retired  as Postmaster from the Thornton office in 1987.  She loved serving her customers in the community and was a true ambassador for Thornton until her death.

Even greater than her love of the community was her love for her Lord and Savior and for her church, Central Baptist, where she faithfully served for seventy-one years.  Bobbie pitched in wherever she was needed throughout the decades, no task too great or too small.  Her faithful love and encouragement to fellow members and hospitality warmed each heart in attendance. Members of all ages looked forward to being greeted with a smile and a hug from “Ms. Bobbie” on Sunday mornings.

God answered Bobbie and D. T.’s fervent prayer for a child with the arrival of their daughter, Carla, who quickly became her parents’ pride and joy.  Bobbie eagerly served the PTA and worked as a room mother throughout Carla’s school years and developed many deep friendships through her involvement in Carla’s life.  However, her greatest blessings were the arrival of her two grandchildren—Kristen and Kaleb.  “Nanny” was a staunch supporter of all their activities and quickly became everyone’s “Nanny.”  Most recently the crowning highlight of her life was the addition of great-grandchildren to her family – first Addison, then Luke, and little Selah who arrived less than three weeks ago.  “Nanny” loved deeply and was deeply loved.

Her survivors include her daughter, Carla Allison of Groesbeck, granddaughter Kristen Willis and her husband, Christopher, of Bryan, TX, grandson Kaleb Allison and his wife, Tori, of Franklin, TX and great-grandchildren, Addison Willis, Luke Willis, and Selah Allison.  Bobbie is also survived by her blessed nieces and nephews from the Waller and Reynolds families and her church family.

Pallbearers are Neal Allison, Morris DeFriend, Roy DeFriend, Jeff Rettig, Edward Vest and Douglas Williams.  Honorary pallbearers are Bill Jackson and the deacon body of Thornton Central Baptist Church.

Out of respect for others, the family kindly requests that masks be worn at visitation and at the service.