Patricia Doyle Reynolds

Lieutenant Colonel Patricia Doyle Reynolds, age 88, went to be with our Lord and Savior on November, 23, 2013, after many repeated health challenges. On this day, she was comforted and surrounded by her loving caregivers, friends, and her niece Sherie from Montana. Patricia was born in Chico, CA on January 20, 1925 to John L. and Carmelita Mitchell Doyle. She attained her college degree and then enlisted and went in as a Commissioned officer in the US Air Force serving 28 years active duty. Patricia took pride in the fact that she was the first female officer assigned to The Pentagon. Her many duties included Administrative Programming and she also had the privilege of being in former President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural procession. Throughout her career she continued to pursue several other degrees. As her brother once stated, “she was a professional student and educator”. Patricia traveled all over the world and shared many stories of her travels and assignments with family and friends over the years. She belonged to many professional organizations and was an active member in many of them. Patricia enjoyed ITC (International Training in Communication), she was the Sunshine Region Division President, and belonged to the Phi Delta Kappa. She loved to participate and help organize Mardi Gras functions annually, especially Krewe of Venus. She belonged to many other organizations but her most enjoyable contribution to the community was through Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. She was a very active member and served on many church committees and really enjoyed volunteering and helping people through St. Vincent De Paul Society. Patricia enjoyed playing musical instruments of all kinds and loved to teach others to play as well. She directed many choirs and encouraged others to pursue their dreams and always believed and stated, “Anything is possible if you are willing to work hard for it”. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her infectious positive attitude, her strong belief in God, and unstoppable patriotism. She was generous to a fault, and her wealth of friends was drawn from many walks and professions in life. She was the epitome of a true southern lady in elegance and style and was always graceful, loving, and caring. Patricia came to Biloxi from San Antonio, Texas where she was stationed from 1977-1981. She liked it so well here in Biloxi, she decided to stay and retire here and purchased a home. Later, she met Major Edward C. Reynolds and they fell in love and were married on October 20, 1990. They both sold their homes and decided to build one together. Pat and Ed did some traveling together and purchased a camper trailer so that they could enjoy the outdoors. Ed taught Pat all about sailing because he loved to sail. She waited until she was in her 60’s to find the “Love of Her Life”. They shared some great times together and she always said she was so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and career in the US Air Force. After Ed’s passing, she decided to have a pet once again and found her poodle Felicia which gave her many hours of comfort and enjoyment. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward C. Reynolds; her parents, John L. and Carmelita Mitchell Doyle; her nephew Kevin Patrick Doyle; her sister, Mary Virginia Roach; her brother, John M. Doyle; and her former sister-in-law, Beatrice Busko. Patricia is survived by her sister-in-law, Annette Anna Doyle of Helena MT; her nieces, Sherie (Mike) Steele of Helena MT, Jacqueline (Russ) Shively of Mendocino CA, Debbie Wells of Great Falls MT, Pamela Oleson of Great Falls MT and Karen Johnson of Great Falls MT; her nephew, Greg (Janice) Doyle of Lompoc CA; several special great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be sent to Dogs for the Deaf Inc. 10175 Wheeler Rd., Central Point OR 97502, or Our Lady of Fatima Church-St. Vincent De Paul Society, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi MS 39531. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi MS on Friday, November 29, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. Friends may visit from 10:30 a.m. until mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors and then a luncheon at the church. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.