Obituary of Betty Jean Reynolds

Betty Jean Reynolds (90) passed away May 5th at River Run Place in Eugene. She is survived by daughters Becky DeKay, Sheila Santiago and Vicki Cox, plus three grandsons, two granddaughters, four great grandsons and three great granddaughters. She will be interred at Lane Memorial Gardens near her son, Dwight Cox.

BJ was born in Union Star Missouri on November 8, 1932 to parents William Floyd Gregg and Elva Faye Gregg, nee Smith. She was the youngest of two sisters and two brothers, and was thirteen years their junior ...the “baby” of the family. She attended classes at a two-room schoolhouse in the country in early years, then eventually graduated from Essex High School as class president. As well as playing 1st clarinet in the school band, she was editor of the school yearbook. She participated in the booster club, and numerous other activities, not to mention working at a bank in Chicago during the summer.

Upon high school graduation, BJ busied herself with business college; but not before marrying her best beau, Charles Dwight (Skip) Cox, who was at that time, enlisted in the Army Paratroops. The birth of their first girl ended her college career, but not her ambitions. BJ and Skip had two more girls and a boy, but she managed to occasionally work part time at Western Electric to fund their growing family.

Over the years, she held jobs at Safeway, Trophies by Skeies, and was one of the first five employees hired for Eugene’s Kmart. She was also one of their last employees, as she retired after 25 years, soon before they closed their doors. Her favorite hobby was dancing. She met her second husband, Edwin Reynolds, while ballroom dancing, and also learned how to square dance. Her groups danced at many local, and even statewide events.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Santa Clara Church (175 Santa Clara Avenue, Eugene) on  Wednesday, July 12 at 2:00pm; officiated by her grandson, Pastor Chad DeKay. Family and friends will be invited to share stories and memories of BJ at that time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions to the American Kidney Fund.