Billie Jean Mcclendon Reynolds

Funeral services for Billie Jean McClendon Reynolds, 80, of Lufkin, will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Brother Vic Bass officiating. Interment will follow in the Crawford Cemetery.

Mrs. Reynolds was born October 11, 1930 in Angelina County, Texas, to the late Ola Mae (Havard) and Eli W. McClendon. Billie married Orange Delbert Reynolds on April 29, 1944. They were married 49 years and 11 months. She was a descendant of many early East Texas families including the Havards, Weavers, Crains, and Scarborough, as well as Sam Burris, who received a Spanish land grant.

From an early age, Billie was a caretaker. She remembered standing in a chair to cook for her grandparents. She was her husband's ""eyes"" when he lost his vision. She took care of her parents until their deaths.

How Billie loved to cook! Her dumplings and pies could not be matched. It was a natural progression for her and Delbert to open a cafe when he could no longer see. Many in Angelina County have tasted their barbeque and ordered her pies. Billie also loved growing roses; but mostly, she loved her family, putting them first in her life. She was of the Baptist faith.

Billie passed from her earthly home on Saturday, January 29, 2011, in a Conroe hospital, following a 2-year battle with heart disease. She was lovingly cared for by her children and son-in-law, Jimmy Kelly.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Delbert Wayne and Jennifer Reynolds of Lufkin; daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Jimmy Kelly of Conroe, Della and Danny Woods of Orange; eight grandchildren and their spouses, James and Sherry Goodwin of Conroe, Gina and Lyle Harper of Huffman, Clayton and Dana Reynolds of Lufkin, Rodney Reynolds of Lufkin, Lisa and Jimmy Eastwood of Fort Worth, Tori McRae of Colmesneil, Tami McRae and Lawrence Shaw of Lufkin, and Weston Reynolds of Lufkin; fourteen great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Marilyn McClendon of Brazoria; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and John Reese of Lufkin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert Reynolds; daughter, Virginia Jean Goodwin; stepfather, Arnold Clifton; and son-in-law, George McRae.

Pallbearers will be James Goodwin, Clayton Reynolds, Rodney Reynolds, Mike Harper, Ryan Goodwin and Cole Eastwood. Honorary pallbearers are Lyle Harper and J.J. Goodwin.

Memorials may be made to the Crawford Cemetery Association in care of Pat Wilkerson, 374 Carr Rd., Pollok, Texas 75969.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors