Dorothy Bowles Reynolds
Dorothy (Dot) Bowles Reynolds received her heavenly wings on September 12, just before her 97th birthday.
Dot was born September 18, 1929 to Margaret Baker Bowles and James Edward Bowles in Roanoke County, Virginia. She and her seven siblings grew up in and around Roanoke and Franklin County. On June 12, 1953 she married William David Reynolds and moved to his family farm near Burton Lake in Pittsylvania County. There they raised two daughters, Carolyn and Beverly. Dorothy cherished her family and showed her love for them every day. Her greatest joy was having all of her family at home and expressing her love through baking the world’s best biscuits for them. Dorothy always attended the numerous family gatherings and reunions. While she thrived on preserving copious amounts of fruits and vegetables, Dot and William always shared their garden harvests with neighbors and friends.
Dorothy was a warm, generous, loving person, whose Christian faith guided her throughout her life. Dorothy attended Hollywood Baptist Church and Green Pond Baptist Church with her family. Dorothy was also a lifelong learner who valued education as a right for all. That love of learning led her to connect with many people through various avenues. Dorothy sold World Book Encyclopedias, always promoting the importance of education. She taught Sunday School and encouraged the many students who rode her school bus. As a mom, she taught her girls to sew and her grandsons how to make biscuits.
In retirement, Dot and William volunteered at the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center distributing food to those in need. They were fortunate enough to make two trips across the US and many trips to Vermont to see Beverly and her family. However, nothing could replace their love for the farmland that they tended to for so many years. Since William’s death, Dorothy continued to watch the wildlife and seasons change over their farmland, thanks to the kind and capable care of numerous home care givers that helped enrich her final years.
Dorothy is predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, her parents, three brothers Clyde, Judson, and James, and her oldest sister Alice Bowles. Dorothy is survived by her daughters Carolyn Davis and Beverly Darling, son-in-law Scott Darling, grandsons William (Annette) Davis and Ryan Darling, and two great grandchildren Aurora and Richard. Dorothy is also survived by her sisters Alma Cunningham and Judy Pence and brother Kenneth Bowles and his wife Betty. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Although Dorothy loved flowers, she has requested that in lieu of flower gifts that donations be made to the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center, the Mountain Valley Woltz Hospice Home where she spent her last days, the Climax Fire Department, or the Hollywood Babtist Church cemetery fund.
A Funeral Service will be conducted on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 2:00pm at Norris Chatham Chapel, 147 S. Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531, with Pastor Charlie Ryan officiating. Interment will follow at Hollywood Baptist Church Cemetery at 6405 Callands Road, Chatham, VA 24531. A visitation will be held on the same day just prior to the service from 1-2:00pm also at Norris Chatham Chapel.
