Patricia Ann Reynolds

Patricia Ann Reynolds, 85, lifelong Lakeland, Florida resident Patricia Ann (Bradley) Reynolds, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center.

Mrs. Reynolds was born on May 13, 1937, to Rufus and Celestia (Pat) Bradley. After her parents’ divorce she lived with her mother and maternal grandmother. Despite the end of her parents’ marriage, she remained close to her many aunts and uncles on her father’s side. Celestia kept an open door for all of them to visit knowing family was important. Eventually, Patricia’s parents both remarried, bringing stepmother Marguerite Bradley and stepfather Stowell Gladding into her life. She graduated in 1955 from Lakeland Senior High School. Shortly after graduation, she married Paul Manuel Reynolds in August 1955. Paul and “Tricia” enjoyed almost 70 years of wedded bliss until his recent passing in February 2023.

Mrs. Reynolds held various jobs in her lifetime including a car hop at Colonial Ice Cream and at the Sunbeam Bread Company in the accounting department. She stopped working to raise her family, but as the boys grew, she took a job as a Polk County School Bus Driver. Always making her job as a mother priority, she would make her youngest son ride along as she would drive her routes. Eventually, Pat, as many of her friends and coworkers would refer to her, became the West Area Bus Supervisor, a job she held for twenty years. When she retired, she often joked that it took two people to replace her. It was in fact true.

Patricia attended Wesley Memorial Church for many years, and most recently, worshipped at the Family Worship Center. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a kindergarten volunteer, a member of the garden club, and a collector of recipes. She enjoyed trying new recipes and never allowed anyone to leave her home without having a little something. She loved tea, and going out to lunch with friends, and finding bargains. She was a Perry Como fan and believed that he would come back into fashion. She loved going to the movies and especially loved Doris Day films. She often said that the movies she saw and plays she attended were “just as cute as (they) could be.” Patricia would sometimes forget the names of the performers, so she would just refer to them as “Old Doo Floppy.” The best stories ended with Old Doo Floppy getting the Girl.

Patricia was also an eager traveler. Her love of travel was instilled by her mother. The two ladies would take the boys to many places during their summer vacations including Bristol, Vermont, and Washington, DC. In her later years she enjoyed taking family cruises and had been planning a trip to Alaska before the COVID shutdown. She always said, “Don’t invite me unless you want me to come.”

Those who knew Patricia best were aware of her tendency to be late. She would deliberately set her clocks ten minutes ahead so she would not be late to work and church. Unfortunately, she was aware that the clocks were set ahead and would end up being late anyway. Her family loved her very much despite this issue. To keep her on a timely schedule, they would simply lie to her about when things were to begin. Consequently, she became very punctual in her elder years.

She was very interested in the lives of her children and grandchildren and loved sitting at her kitchen table talking with them. Like her mother, Patricia Reynolds believed family was most important. Nothing made her happier than a visit from one of her grandchildren. And if they would take her somewhere, it was all the better!

Mrs. Reynolds is survived by her son Alan (Susan) Reynolds, grandchildren Jessica (Cory) Perkins, Daniel (Tiffany) Burnham, Grant (Kelsey) Reynolds, and Alex Reynolds, six and a half great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter all of Lakeland, her brother Gary (Joyce) Bradley of Lithia, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Manuel Reynolds, Sr., son Paul Manuel Reynolds, Jr., and granddaughter Kaitlyn Suzanne Reynolds.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 4:30pm at the Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801.

Patricia, Tricia, Pat, Aunt, Mom, Grandmother. Though we miss you, we know those who went Home before you welcomed you with open arms and a cup of tea.

The family extends sincere appreciation to the Grand Villa of Lakeland.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to the Lakeland Community Theatre.