Arthur McKinley Reynolds, 1896-1990

Arthur McKinley Reynolds was born on April 13, 1896, in Stafford County, the son of Almedia Wine and John Monroe Reynolds. At his death on July 18, 1990, he was a resident of the Hermitage in Northern Virginia in Alexandria. Between these more than 94 years, "Mac," as he was known to his many friends across the years, embodied the highest principles of a truly Christian gentleman and sought to share with others his deep and genuine faith in Christ and in the God whom he knew for a certainty and to whom he devoted his entire life.

He began his ministry in the traditions of Methodism in 1925 when he was elected to probationary membership. He was ordained a deacon in 1926. He was admitted to full connection in 1927 and was ordained an elder in 1929. His last appointment prior to retirement was as senior minister at Arlington Forest Church where he served with distinction during that church's greatest growth between 1956 and 1967. Following his retirement, his devotion, leadership, and commitment to God and His church were recognized when he was named "pastor emeritus" by Arlington Forest Church. It was during his pastorate that the church completed its building program with the construction of the connecting unit between the two church buildings in 1960. His appointments, in addition to Arlington Forest, included Branch Memorial, Sledd Memorial, Fulton Hill, Trinity in the Lynchburg District, Rocky Mount, High Street in Franklin, Emporia, Main Street in Waynesboro, Farmville, Granbery, and Main Street in Danville.

On August 30, 1922, Mac was married to Mary Susan Minton, who, through her own commitment to the church, and as a dedicated minister's wife, had an impact in the life of each church they served as an outstanding church schoolteacher. The Susan Reynolds Church School Class and the Susan Reynolds Parlor at Arlington Forest Church were named in her honor. Mac and Susan Reynolds were the parents of four children: Sue Almedia, Arthur McKinley, Jr., James Marvin, and Franklin Reynolds.

His beloved wife of over 52 years died after a long illness on September 25, 1974. He later married Mildred Garrett Taylor who predeceased him in August 1988.

A. McK. Reynolds received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Randolph-Macon College and the Master of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. He did a year of graduate studies at Union, Richmond, in 1931-32. His alma mater, Randolph-Macon, recognized his commitment and ministry with the conferral of the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He held many positions of leadership on the district and annual conference level which included membership on the Board of Ministerial Training and Qualification, now the Board of Ordained Ministry, and was named a delegate to the World Methodist Council meeting held in Oslo, Norway in 1961.

Mac Reynolds was truly a Christian statesman who found his greatest joy and fulfillment in faithful and untiring service to his church as a "pastor" in the truest sense of the word. His life was lived out as a testimony to his love of family, his selfless commitment to his church, a profound love for his God. The faith of each person whose life was touched by Arthur McKinley Reynolds has been deepened and the church strengthened because he walked this way. It can be said of him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Inherit the kingdom that has been prepared for you."

-David A. Balcom