Betty Jane Reynolds

Betty Jane Reynolds, age 98, went gladly to her Heavenly Home on May 16, 2017. She was born Betty Jane Major in Muncie, Ohio, in 1918 and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. She was amused by her claim to fame for shaking Thomas Edison’s hand after he gave a speech in Dearborn, spoke and danced with Henry Ford on so many occasions; it did not occur to her to ask for his autograph, and while she was driving for the American Red Cross during WWII, was kissed by Mickey Rooney after driving him to a Veteran’s Hospital. In October 1945 she married Ernie Kandt and honeymooned in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They travelled throughout the southeast including Havana, Cuba in 1947. They had two sons, Charles and John. In 1955 they moved to California where she and Ernie raised their sons, were active in Christ Lutheran Church and School of La Mesa and was president of the La Mesa Kiwanis Auxiliary. For years she volunteered as an English teacher at an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico during the 60’s, and began a 20 year real estate career in 1969. She loved to travel and saw much of the world. She moved to Knoxville in 2015. Betty Jane was preceded in death by husbands Ernest A. Kandt and Craig Reynolds, and her brothers, Paul Major and Ray Major, and sister, May Ann Ehlers. She is survived by Charles and Canda Kandt of Knoxville; John and Jean Kandt of La Mesa, California; her grandchildren, Jennifer Ruth Kandt, Elizabeth Ann (Kandt) Powell, Michelle Louise (Kandt) Wetzile, Christopher Charles Kandt and Anna Marie Kandt; her brother, Loren Major, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held June 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, California with final resting place being in Glen Abbey Memorial Park. She asked that no one weep for her, as she is so very happy to be in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with her family and friends who preceded her.