Elvira Louise Opsvig Reynolds

Published 3:00 am Friday, September 8, 2017

Elvira Louise Opsvig Reynolds, born May 16, 1923, in Minot, North Dakota, passed away peacefully September 3, 2017, in Brentwood, TN.  Mrs. Reynolds also spent many years in Troy, AL, and Montgomery, AL.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Lt. Col. James E. Reynolds, her parents, Claus and Harriett Opsvig, brothers, Robert Carlson Opsvig, John Thomas Opsvig (killed in action during WWII) and, sister, Karen Catherine Opsvig.  She is survived by her brother Dr. Paul Kent Opsvig (Sue) of Berkeley, CA, sisters-in-law Layne Reynolds, Greenville, AL, Jean Reynolds, Geneva, AL, Myla Opsvig, Seattle, Washington, and children, John Robert Reynolds (Shirley), Brentwood, TN, Thomas Timothy Reynolds, Tuscon, AZ, and Anne Reynolds Henderson, Inlet Beach, FL.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Elvira was the first baby born at Trinity Hospital in Minot and in 1944 graduated from the hospital’s Trinity Hospital School of Nursing.  Upon graduation Elvira enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps and met her future husband during her first tour of duty in San Francisco, CA.  Based in Camp Stoneman, CA, she served on the USS Dogwood as a member of the U S Forces in the Pacific.  After moving to Troy, AL, in 1962, Elvira completed her BS in Nursing at Troy State University with honors, later teaching at the school and being appointed director of the Student Health Center.  In 1975 she was honored as the Pike County Nurse of the Year.  She loved music, the arts and almost any type of competition including many spirited late night board game sessions with her grandchildren, friends and other family members.  She was a lifelong Christian and an active member of churches where she lived.  Most recently she was a member of First United Methodist church in Montgomery and at her death was a member of Brentwood United Methodist in Brentwood, TN.  The family would like to thank her many caretakers who over the years did so much to help and comfort her.  A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, AL at 11:00am.  Visitation will follow at 11:30.  Interment will be completed during a private service at Bethel Methodist Church in Fort Deposit, AL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your chosen Hurricane Harvey relief fund, the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.

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