Polly aka Mother and Granny was a faithful follower of Christ, a loving mother, and an excellent grandmother, as well as a loyal friend. She loved and served the Lord all the days of her life along with loving and serving her family. She was blessed with one child, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild.
She was born May 4,1920 on Miller Farm, in Waples, Texas to Roy C. Reynolds and Zula M. (Miller) Reynolds. She was the 2nd oldest of 6 girls. The stories are endless about farm life with the sisters! She graduated from WC Stripling HS now known as Arlington Heights in 1937. When she left home following graduation, she would send money home with every paycheck to help with the farm and family. She was faithful.
She was the mother and grandmother who taught by example…from checkers, swimming, to tennis and even roller skating! She loved being active and she loved children. She taught each of her grandchildren to save everything, nothing was to go to waste. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. She collected aluminum cans and collected her bounty and then she would then take a grandchild to spend it! Her youngest grandson, Tifton, got his first citation for driving without a license at 12 when Granny was teaching him to drive on a farm road. She loved food and she loved it hot and well done! She loved to learn. Computers were her challenge and she conquered them with the help of her niece, Merlene. She took a class at TCU on Power Point when she was 87. She was an avid genealogist and traveled with her oldest sister, Bernice, all around the country well into their 80’s learning all they could about their family. She was active with the Reynolds-McKinney family reunion for 64 years and her hand was in every aspect of it. She was also the designated driver of many adventures with her friends and colleagues well into her 80’s. She earned the term of endearment “Bumper Car Granny”.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Colleyville and then River Oaks Baptist Church for 40+ years. She taught Preschool Sunday School for over 50 years and loved each one of her students. She was the Parliamentarian and Historian for ROBC up until she could no longer drive at the ripe old age of 95. She was faithful.
She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. which later became AT&T from 1942 until 1984. She was awarded perfect attendance at her retirement celebration of 42 years. She held all levels of offices in the local chapters of the Ft. Worth Pioneers, the Fort Worth Calligraphers Guild, and a charter member of the Busylines Toastmistress Club. She was a charter member of the Fort Worth Unit of Texas State Association of Parliamentarians an affiliate of the National Association of Parliamentarians. She was the club President in 1971-72,1988-89, and 1995-96. She was a PRP (Professional Registered Parliamentarian) of the NAP. She judged all levels of High School competitions including State and Nationals. She provided help with training the River Oaks High School Parliamentary Law team for competition. She traveled extensively with each organization she was a member of, to help in their endeavors at the state and national level. She enjoyed her life!
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Duane Crist and JC Campbell, her sisters, Bernice Reynolds Keefer, Aliene Reynolds Houston, Earline Reynolds Copeland, and Imogene Reynolds Dawson.
She is survived by her sister, Beatrix Reynolds Haggard, her son, Larry D Crist and wife, Celia, and her grandchildren, Larry D Crist, Jr. and wife, Pam, Stacy Crist Leverett and husband, BJ, Amy Crist Rodenburgh and husband, Luke, Tifton Crist, and Trait Crist Zaldain and husband, Chris, along with numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. She was faithful, she was blessed, and she will be sorely missed by us all. We love you Mom and Granny.
