Ora B. Reynolds

On June 7, 2020, Mother Ora Belle (Brown) Reynolds Sr., passed peacefully at age 86 in her home surrounded by family. Ora, known lovingly to her children as Ma, Mom, Mama and Mommy. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called her Grandma, Granny Bo Banny, Granny and Granny B. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 14, 1933 to Annette Brown (Honey) who died from Tuberculosis when she was 10 years old. The death of Honey was something that forever changed her life. She cried for her mom often. Although an only child her first cousin Beverly Joyce Cole who died in 2005 was her sister. Their moms were identical twins and they were inseparable. Ora attended Indianapolis Public Schools earning her high school diploma from Crispus Attucks High School.

Ora met Calvin Coolidge Reynolds Sr., while working at the Park Theater on Martindale Ave. when she was a teen. After falling for Calvin her one and only love, they married. From that union Karen Sue, Constance Elaine, Calvin Coolidge Jr., and Keith Eugene were born. Ora was a stay at home mom but in the evening’s she helped her husband with his part-time job.

Ora’s children were her life but once the grandchildren were born they could do no wrong. Everything revolved around her family and that did not change throughout their lives. She would always be the first to congratulate you on an accomplishment. For many year’s Ora would make Easter baskets for everybody, which not only included eggs, candy, and trinkets but money. She would dye dozens of eggs and donate them to the church Easter egg hunts every year. Family was everything to her. Her home with her husband was the family meeting place for holidays and family celebrations. She saved all photographs, report cards, and mementoes of her children. Such a joyous time it was reminiscing on those family albums for hours.

Ora loved to love on people. She would give money to any homeless person she encountered. One of her parishioners was sick and until she died, Ora sent a card each week. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother and grandmother even adopting many at church who called her mom. Ora committed her life to Christ early and joined her Uncle Jimmy’s (Pastor James Brown) Church Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist now (Pastor Ronnie Evans),when it was a store-front building on Andrew J. Brown Ave. While a member of Grace, Ora was in the choir, a Sunday school teacher and served on the mother’s board. She maintained a faithful membership until her death.

She was a living example of Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Mother Ora Belle Reynolds Sr., lived an exemplary Godly and fulfilling life and will be tremendously missed but Never, Ever Forgotten. Mother Ora’s family is what they are today because of her.

She is preceded in death by her son Keith and grandson Jamar Reynolds. Ora is survived by her loving and cherished husband Calvin Coolidge Reynolds Sr., Children, Karen (Billy) Edmond; Connie (Terrance) Simmons; Calvin (Vanessa) Reynolds Jr.; Jacqueline (Donell) Franklin, Yvonne Brown and Clarence Nelson. Grandchildren, Teonna (John) Gould Sr., Dion Cushingberry, William Calvin Hayes, LaBryan Reynolds, Calvin Reynolds III, Keith Newson (Courtney), Herbert (Tia), Freddie and Titus Gilbert, and Chasity Counts. Great grandchildren Jamar Reynolds, Keeona Stewart, Jaylon Reynolds, Calvaunah Hayes, Deserai Cushingberry, Kayden and Kayvion Newson, and Sara and John Gould Jr., Aunt Ramona Jones, and a host of additional Great grand children (12) Great- great grand children (11) cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.