Elsie Reynolds was known for her exemplary character, her love and loyalty to her friends and family and her ready smile.
Reynolds, a treasured member of the Auburn University department of journalism for 30 years, passed away at her home in Auburn Jan. 28, 2013. Reynolds was 71.
Reynolds, a resident of Auburn for the past 36 years, retired from her administrative assistant position in 2005.
"Let me make something perfectly clear: the world is run by administrative assistants," said Margaret Fitch-Hauser, chair of the department of communication and journalism. "The rest of us are expendable."
Reynolds worked as a part-time secretary for both the religion and journalism departments before becoming secretary of the journalism department in 1981.
"She was always more than a secretary," said Jerry Brown, head of the journalism department from 1992-1999. "She was a secretary, receptionist, chief budget officer, personnel director and more."
Brown said he nicknamed Reynolds "Radar O'Reynolds" because of her efficiency and her ability to anticipate what was needed.
"Elsie was such a dependable, efficient person at the office," said Ed Williams, professor of journalism. "Whenever I asked her about something, it had already been done. She was a step ahead of me."
Reynolds not only streamlined processes within an office environment, but was able to garner trust from students with a variety of concerns.
"Elsie was the first listening ear," said John Carvalho, associate professor of journalism. "She had not only a courtesy, but a warmth that I think would make any student feel welcome."
Carvalho served as director of the journalism department from 2004-2009.
"She made my job easier," Carvalho said. "It takes a special person to do what she did, and I think her character filled it well."
Reynolds worked to facilitate the merger that occurred between the departments of journalism and communication.
"For many of us, Elsie was the continuity between the journalism department, between the chairs and the way we did things," Fitch-Hauser said. "She was the glue that held the journalism department together."
Faculty members were moved as they recalled their memories of Reynolds.
"Elsie was the constant," Fitch-Hauser said. "She was always there, always with a smile and a kind word."
Reynolds was a pivotal player in the process to receive full accreditation of the journalism department.
"That was sort of the heyday for Elsie when we got that national notice," Brown said. "She was instrumental in making all the arrangements that were involved, taking care of the accreditation team, filing the reports and making certain everything was on deadline."
Reynolds was renown for her organization of the department.
"She kept everything organized, which was an underrated job," Carvalho said. "For us, that meant state and federal laws, accrediting agencies, and all the other things that went into the department."
Beyond her work ethic, Reynolds was renowned for her character and personality.
"She knew everyone by name and their hometowns," Fitch-Hauser said. "May her family know the peace she always seemed to exude."
Reynolds genuinely cared for students and faculty.
"I'll never forget her gentle laugh," Carvalho said. "When a student would tell us something horrifying, she would have a momentary look of surprise and laugh softly."
Reynolds was an active member of Parkway Baptist Church and served as church clerk, as well as other capacities, over the years.
"I don't think saints ever advertise themselves as future saints, but I think if there is such a thing Elsie Reynolds is one," Brown said. "She showed it in every aspect of her life."
Reynolds was also praised for her uncommon loyalty to the journalism department, electing to remain administrative assistant for the duration of her time at the university.
"I get the greatest satisfaction in my job when I am challenged," Reynolds said in the July 1996 issue of AU Report, "Also, I delight in working on campus during fall quarter when excitement is in the air, there are students to meet, friends to welcome back and endless things to do."
Reynolds' funeral was held Thursday, Jan. 31 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel in Opelika. More than 150 were in attendance.
"She loved people, and people naturally loved her back," Williams said. "That was just her nature: to love other people."
"She was an incredible woman," said William White, instructor of journalism, "Everyone in the department loved her dearly."
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