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Obituary For Reverend Hardy Reynolds, Jr.
A celebration of life for Reverend Hardy Reynolds, Jr. of Talladega, 77, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at Mt. Cleveland Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Jerry Jones will deliver the eulogy. Interment take place in Oak Hill Cemetery. Reverend Reynolds will lie in state at the church one hour before the service. Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022.
From the beginning of my life, I had to be one to remember. I was born on January 23, 1945, in Talladega, Alabama. Now if you have not figured out what made that memorable, my birthday is 1-2-3-4-5. Easy to remember wasn’t it? I was the only son in a house full of girls. My parents were Hardy and Surloner (nèe Keith) Reynolds and they decided to name me after my father, so I became Hardy Reynolds, Jr.
Under the guidance of my parents, I became a member of Kingston Missionary Baptist Church when I was young and once I became older, I moved my membership to Mt. Cleveland Missionary Baptist Church. As I grew older and more mature, so did my knowledge and love for Christ. My work in the church led to being afforded the opportunity to become a member of the deacon board where I was not only a member, but I served as chairman. I also served as a Sunday school teacher. The Lord began to wrestle with me to the point that I was convicted and changed some of my habits. He was tugging on my heart to preach his word and I answered his call. On February 1, 2004, I received my license to preach and on July 17, 2005, I was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel. I served as an assistant pastor at Mt. Cleveland until October 4, 2008, when I was installed as the pastor of Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church where they just celebrated my 14th year of service to them. I unfortunately was unable to be present in the physical, but I was grateful for recognition that I had received while being there in spirit. Additionally, during my time as a pastor, I received further training under the leadership of the Rushing Springs District Missionary Baptist Association.
I attended school in Talladega and of course during this time our nation was still grappling with the culture of segregation. I graduated from Westside High School in 1964 and went to work at the Bemis Brothers Bag Company. Westerns were a favorite of many during my day. Some friends and I all took nicknames and I selected “The Duke” after John Wayne. During this time, the United States was entangled at the height of the Vietnam War. On September 3, 1965, I was drafted and taken to Montgomery, Alabama where I was sworn into the United States Army. During my time in the army, I was a trained marksman, received the Parachutist Badge and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. I served honorably until I was discharged from active duty on August 16, 1967, and transferred to serve in the Alabama National Guard. I continued my education at Nunnelley State Technical College and worked under the Department of Defense until retirement as a civilian at the Anniston Army Depot. Because of my time served in the military, I served as Post Commander of Amvets Post #25. I became a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge #12 and served as Exalted Ruler of College City Lodge #1171. During my free time, I enjoyed rabbit hunting often with the Racing City Hunting Club and teaching my Godsons how to hunt. In recent years, I would spend a good bit of my free time dabbling in flowers and enjoyed gardening in which I shared the fruits of my labor with many in the community. Every morning you could find me at either Huddle House, Jack’s or Tina’s Home Cooking for breakfast with my breakfast buddies and would continue my day talking and ministering to seniors at the B. N. Mabra Center. On July 2, 1983, I married the former Barbara Gould, and we remained in holy matrimony until death did we part on October 20, 2022.
My memory will be cherished most by my wife, Barbara; my special daughter, Regina (Bruce) Welch of Calhoun, Georgia; my stepdaughter, Belinda Carmichael of Jonesboro, Georgia; my two remaining sisters, Ann Mitchell and Julia Trumbo of Cleveland, Ohio; brother-in-law, Samuel Gould of Denver, Colorado; three Godchildren, Erika Terry, Cuviere Terry, Jr. and Christopher Terry; seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. I have now reunited with my parents, Hardy and Surloner; my other four sisters, Mary Francis Carter, Catherine Harmon, Dorothea Hall and Lucy Martin; and my stepson, Pete Anthony Wallace.
Condolences & Tributes
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Reverend Hardy, Jr. was the pastor who did the eulogy in March 2017 for my mother, Annie Lois Turner Robinson: a job well done! Rest in peace.
Mrs. Reynolds & Family - So very sorry for the loss of Rev. Hardy Reynolds. I remember him from Westside Elementary & High School as a very respectful & funny person. I pray that God will continue to comfort and strengthen you all in this most difficult time. God Bless you all. Rest in Perfect Peace Hardy.
My condolences to the Reynolds Family. May Lord continue to be a blessing to the Reynolds family. The Hawkins Family of Harvest, Alabama.
Reverend Hardy Reynolds it was a pleasure to have met you and make you laugh. Rev Reynolds came to all of my families' funerals when they passed from COVID last year and he was always a sharp dresser. Rev. Reynolds stayed ready to give God's word he always carried his little green bible. The Harmon/Brooks family will miss you, until we met again. With Love Brenda (classmate}, Erica and Jasmine Brooks
Sending love, guidance and strength to my family,Rest in paradise Mr Hardy we're going to miss you dearly.
Our sincere condolences to Reverend Hardy Reynolds's, Jr and family. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers Many blessings from Charles Morris and family of New Jersey
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for your family strength in the Lord 🙏🏽 Vanessa Groce
Praying for strength for Barbara and family. Sherry Lawson Ragland
I offer my sincere condolences to the entire family of the Reverend Hardy Reynolds. Hardy and I were westside classmates, and even then he was a very nice person. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to run into Hardy @ the Huddle House while visiting in Talladega a few years ago. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. Rest In Heaven🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿.( Jacqueline Trammell Ray ) mansifeld Ohio
Uncle Hardy you are truly missed by me. Thanks for being my uncle that I could go to at anytime. Thank you for being lighthearted and hard hearted when I needed it. Love you Your Favorite. Bess
Barbara, I don't have to tell you what a great neighbor Hardy was. He and you really looked out for guests, visitors, and trespassers that came next door. I am truly saddened by Hardy's passing. You and family have my deepest sympathy. May you find solace in your memories and may he rest in peace. I'm going to miss Hardy.
Rest in peace my dear friend
Joanetta Easley Smith Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Prayers for the Reynolds Family. May your memories bring you comfort and peace. The Cole Family
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Barbara and the rest of the family. May you be comforted in knowing that your sorrow is being shared by your many friends. Chuck Varner, Montgomery, Alabama.
Always enjoyed visiting with Reverend Reynolds when he came to Raymond Wyatt's. He had a peace about him that spoke of his walk with Christ! He and his gardens will be missed! Carla Love Tinney
Barbara, May God's love bring you comfort and strength in your time of need. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. RIP Hardy, your cousin Denise Swain.
Condolences to the family of Rev. Hardy Reynolds. Alonzo & Shernevelyne Draper Hill🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼7
RIH Uncle Duke.
Condolences to the family of Rev. Hardy Reynolds.
Condolences to the families of my long time friend Hardy Reynolds. May GOD continue to bless Barbara and the rest of the families. Emma Young
Sorry for your loss,may the Lord strengthen you and the family. Sherry Lawson Ragland
Family may God comfort you during this time of sorry. "Don't let your hearts be troubled, Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 (NLT) The Hall Family (Cleveland)
Words cannot describe how much He will be missed by this family. He enjoyed visiting and swapping stories with Raymond. He loved to Plant a vegetable garden every year. He even planted and worked in his Gardens this past summer. Running the tractor, planting, hoeing and picking vegetables. He made sure his beloved wife Barbara had fresh peas from the garden. He also went about planting seeds for Christ. And touched peoples hearts in all walks of life.
Reverend Hardy was a true ambassador of Christ. He taught many people the way, the truth and the life John 14:6.
With our deepest sympathy and Love ❤️ Raymond and Patricia Wyatt
My dear brother you will truly be missed but you will forever be in my heart. To Barbara and the family may God keep you in his loving arms in this time of sorrow.Love you all, Ann and the Mitchell family
Daddy I miss and I love you so much never forgotten love your daughter Regina
You were a wonderful friend and classmate of my sister, Connie Diggs. May you Rest In Peace and may your family find the strength to endure during this time of loss. May God bless them and direct their path.. I know that you will be missed. The Diggs family
Bye, Hardy, paratrooper from the 509th airborne, 1966// Allen Schaeffer, Sorry to find out that you passed away..
Condolences to the Reynolds family. A friend, family, a former neighbor and classmate, a person with plenty of information and one that usually left you with a smile. Yes that was Hardy. Yes he is gone but he will never be forgotten. RIHP my friend. May God continue to watch over the family
Helen Millender
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
