Obituary - Chester C. McReynolds was born in Iowa, March 16, 1853.
Taught by a
godly mother, who embraced the last gospel message when he was eight
years old,
he early gave his heart to God. When nineteen years of age, he engaged
in the
teaching of public school. He continued in that calling for twelve
years. At
the age of thirty-four he was called to the gospel ministry.
His unfailing courtesy, calm judgment, and other gifts of leadership
caused
his brethren to elect him conference president for a number of consecutive
terms. He served the cause he loved in that capacity in Arkansas, in
Kansas at
two different periods, and in Texas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
When the Southwestern Union Conference was formed, largely out of the
conferences where Elder McReynolds had served efficiently as conference
president, there was no one so suitable for presidency of the new union,
in the estimation of the delegates, as Elder McReynolds.
All his labors in the cause were marked by fidelity and unswerving loyalty
to the great Head of the church and to the principles of the faith
delivered to the saints.
Many who now bear responsibility in the cause at home and in fields afar,
owe a large measure of success to the faith Elder McReynolds had in them
when they were beginners in the work. His words of encouragement and
help tided them over many a hard place.
In 1874 our brother was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adams of Pilot
grove, Iowa. Four children came to bless their home: Etta, who became the
wife
of N.V. Willess and was laid to rest a few years afterward; James Arthur
of Loma
Linda, William H. of Washington D.C., and John C. of Alhambra, Calif.
While laboring in Wisconsin, Elder McReynolds experienced the great
sorrow
of losing the companion of his youth by death. Some time later, he was
united in
marriage to Miss Mary Cornell Cook.
One son, now Dr. Cornell McReynolds
of San
Diego, was born to them.
In 1913 the McReynolds family settled in Loma Linda, Mrs. McReynolds
enrolling in the Medical College, from which she was graduated. For
some time their home has been at Pacific Union College, where Dr. Mary
McReynolds serves as a loved teacher and college physician.
During the recent illness, members of the family, aided by the able help
of the White Memorial Hospital staff, ministered tenderly to our beloved
brother.
On his eighty-fourth birthday, surrounded by his four sons with whom he
conversed to the last, the brave warrior entered into his well-deserved
rest.
After funeral services, conducted at Redlands by J.E. Fulton, assisted
by
G.A. Calkins, N.V. Willess, and the writer, he was laid to rest in the
beautiful
Montecito Cemetery at Loma Linda.
C. M. Sorenson
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
April 15, 1937, p. 22
