Irene V. Reynolds

Irene Banks was the 3rd child out of ten children, born to Horace and Anna Banks.  She was raised in a Christian Baptist household with her nine siblings— George, Helen, Connie, Etta, Peggy, Shirley, Doris, Joan and Cynthia.  The Banks were a close and loving family.  They settled in Wayne, Radnor Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  Described by her family as a precocious child, Irene displayed a unique talent for sports and athletics. During her early schooling at Tredyffrin-Easttown Junior High School, Irene enjoyed playing field hockey and softball. As an adult, she loved to roller skate which led her to work as a skate guard in Berwyn, PA. 

In the summer of 1942, Irene met her future husband, James R. Reynolds, II.  Irene and James married the following winter of 1943.  The young couple moved and settled down in Devon, Chester County, PA.  Together, they enjoyed doing custom gardening, and home/landscaping designing. James, an honorably discharged U. S. Army veteran, worked at National Rolling Mills in Malvern, PA, until he retired.  Irene became a devoted wife and mother to a growing family.  January 1944 saw Irene giving birth to her first child, a daughter, Jean Reynolds.  Subsequently, the family grew with the birth of a second daughter, Diane, a son, James W. Reynolds, III, a namesake of James, II’s proud family lineage and their fourth and final child, Debbie Reynolds. One of the fondest memories the family cherishes was how their parents would amuse themselves by going out nearly every day or mostly every weekend.  At times, the family would often walk from Devon to Stratford, to meet Chris the taxi-man, and drive out to Mount Pleasant in Wayne.

Irene is survived by her children—Jean Brown, Diane Reynolds, James W. Reynolds, III (his wife, Darlene) and Debbie Reynolds; her siblings—Shirley Barnes of Philadelphia, Doris Taylor of Virginia, Joan Byrd of Wayne, and Cynthia Galloway also of Wayne, PA; grandchildren—Melvin and Joyce Dutton (Jean), Tyrone Reynolds (Diane), Grecha Wright, Barbara Costelo (James), Taneeka Reynolds and Felicia Henderson (Debbie); 16 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Irene is a product of one of America’s great last-gilded generations that emphasized faith, family and community.  She will be remembered by many including extended families and friends.  The essence of her soul and being is now eternally etched onto the brightest star in the glorious firmament of heaven for all who knew her to radiate in her splendor.  Irene Virginia Banks Reynolds will surely be forever missed.      

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Wright Funeral & Cremation Services, 725 Merchant Street, Coatesville, PA 19320.  A visitation time with the family will be held at 12:30 PM until the service time.

Interment will be held privately.

Condolences may be shared at the guestbook tab. Condolences to be read should be faxed to 610-383-7523 or emailed to wrightfuneralsvs@aol.com to the funeral home by Friday at 3 p.m.  

Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page where you may light a candle in her memory. Photos may be shared on the tribute book by clicking on 'add a memory’.

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