Alverda Eileen Reynolds

ALVERDA EILEEN REYNOLDS, age 94, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. The eldest of four children, she was born October 26, 1920, to Charles Edgar and Evarena Little in Dowell, Illinois. Growing up on her parents farm, she attended Dowell Grade School, graduated from Elkville High School, and studied for two years at Southern Illinois University before earning a teaching certificate during World War II.

In 1941 Eileen met her future husband Joe Reynolds, and they courted briefly before he was stationed in Guam with the U.S. Army. Immediately upon his return from the war, they were married on April 19, 1945. Eileen and Joe welcomed daughter Lara in 1946 and daughter Jo Ann (Joni) in 1949, and eventually settled in Oglesby, Illinois to raise their family. After staying home briefly to raise her daughters, Eileen returned to teaching at Washington and Lincoln Elementary schools in Oglesby, and in 1966 earned her Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University. She later served as Head Principal at Lincoln Elementary School.

A lifelong follower of Christ, Eileen had a strong passion for studying and teaching the Bible and encouraging others in their faith. As a teenager, she regularly attended Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening church services, leading a Women's Bible study and Bible schools during the summers.

Eileen is survived by her daughter, Joni (Ron) Karlich; granddaughters, Rachel Fruin, Nickie Fruin, and Cat Sorrels; grandson, Erik Fruin; great-granddaughter, Nadia Fruin; siblings, Carroll (Doris) Little and Dee (Don) Burroughs; and many nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Joe Reynolds; daughter, Lara Akey; parents, Charles and Evarena Little; and brother, Larry Little.