John Edwards Reynolds

John Edwards Reynolds was born on February 11, 1958, in Kingstree, SC, to Jean Hamilton Reynolds and Leonard Darrell Reynolds. He was the youngest of four boys, with family roots in both Lamar and Chester, South Carolina. John and his brothers were a close-knit bunch who enjoyed many happy times with loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

John died on September 11, 2025, following a private battle with cancer.

He spent his teenage years in Darlington, SC, moving there with his family after his father was hired as Area Superintendent for Darlington County Schools. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1976, where he served as Senior Class President and lettered in football, basketball, and golf. He also had the honor of playing in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Following high school, John attended Clemson University, graduating in 1981 with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at Clemson, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon engineering honor societies. It was also during this time that he earned the nickname “Johnny Ringo,” as his group of friends included three others named John, and they needed a way to distinguish between them.

John’s 45-year career as a civil engineer spanned from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Savannah, GA, and Fort Jackson to work with four firms: Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan in Columbia; Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, AECOM, and Davis & Floyd, all in Florence. In his work, John was known for diligence, attention to detail, and for going above and beyond what was required.

On September 21, 1986, during the baptism of his nephew Richard at Central United Methodist Church, John first laid eyes on Adriane Anderson, Richard’s babysitter. Thanks to a little matchmaking by Jenny and Dickie, John and Adriane soon began dating and enjoyed three wonderful years together. Then, in September of 1989, they returned to Central’s sanctuary—this time standing at the altar themselves to exchange wedding vows.

They spent their early years of marriage in a home on Black Creek, where they welcomed friends and family for John’s famous shrimp creole, warm holiday gatherings, and floats on the creek. While in Darlington, John served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent at Darlington Presbyterian Church. He also sang in the Chancel Choir and valued the camaraderie of his fellow choir members. In 2004, John and Adriane moved to Florence to be closer to his work, marking the beginning of a new chapter as they planned to start a family.

On November 11, 2009, they were overjoyed when John Aleksei Edwards Reynolds came into their life. The three of them officially became a family and arrived home from Russia in December of 2009. John and Alek enjoyed many days together visiting the Briggs Elementary playground, bike riding, and building with Legos. John also passed on his love of golf, the beach, and boating to Alek, but not his love of Clemson football. Much to his dismay, Alek became a Gamecock fan.

John’s friends and family always enjoyed his cooking, especially the squash casserole at Thanksgiving and the chocolate sour cream pound cakes that he baked and delivered on birthdays or Christmas Eve.

John will be remembered most for his kindness, his humble spirit, and his heart for helping others.

In addition to Adriane and Alek, John is survived by his brothers, Leonard Reynolds (Ann Parrent) of Chapel Hill, NC; Dickie Reynolds (Jenny) of Georgetown, SC; and Hugh Reynolds (Sue) of Darlington, SC; his mother-in-law Peggie Anderson of Florence; brothers-in-law Andy Anderson (Christy) of Forest, VA and Adam Anderson of Columbia, SC; and his nieces and nephews: Cecily Reynolds Kehoe (Nick), Sam Reynolds, Richard Reynolds, Banks Reynolds, George Benjamin (Kari), Amanda Benjamin Hicks, Matthew Anderson, and Suzanne Anderson.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate John’s life on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the home of Gary and Missy Brown, 1480 Wisteria Drive. A memorial service will be held at Central UMC on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. The family will greet friends in The Commons following the service. Memorials for John may be made to Central UMC, 265 West Cheves Street, Florence, SC, 29501