Susan Reynolds

Susan was born February 6, 1962 in Columbus, Ohio, second child of Vivian and Joseph Reynolds II. She lived her early years in Dayton, Ohio. As a toddler, her parents recognized the independent willfulness of their young daughter. It was a trait that served her well.  As with many kids her age, Susan held a very special closeness with her father who preceded her in death.  While “tomboy” is a stretch, Susan was comfortable outdoors, often coming home with an assortment of animals and bugs. Yet she was equally at ease handling Barbie as she was yard snakes.  Susan grew up joyful. She was immersed in the arts, spending hours listening to recordings ranging from classical compositions to Disney. She acquired an interest in dance at an early age and excelled at it. Susan started ballet training at four and performed in scores of recitals over the years, often as the youngest student and performer.  In Dayton she attended Blairwood Elementary where she continued exploring the arts and took up the coronet, which she played through high school, along with participating in choir and drama.  Socially vivacious, she quickly became a favorite among friends, neighbors and cousins. Those closest to her described Susan as loyal, funny and beautiful.  In 1973, her family moved to Michigan where she attended Battle Creek Public Schools. She continued her interest in the arts and became a very young student/teacher in the city’s premiere dance studio. At Battle Creek Central High School she was a Band Follies standout – serving as co-captain of the show’s chorus line.  After finishing high school in 1980, Susan attended Grand Valley State College and received a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. A highlight was interning as a dancer in New York City with the world famous Alvin Ailey Dance Company.   An early notable job she held was as concierge at the prestigious Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Later, she spread her wings working as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines, which became Delta. Susan loved flying and she traveled the world – working with Delta, and playing with her mom.  Although previously married, Susan ultimately partnered with the love of her life, Charles Pratt. She relocated to Moorestown, New Jersey in 1996, where they lived in his childhood home. There, she helped raise Chuck’s amazing children: Jaunelle K. Pratt Williams (Wallrick), Charles A. Pratt, Joel J. Pratt (Lisa), and Rochelle Y. Hazel (Amed).  Susan was quite social but also cherished her alone time. She was renowned for undergoing self-imposed “quarantine” following her flight attendant trips. During these moments of solitude she decompressed with the grape, reruns of “NCIS” and the latest episodes of “Wendy Williams.”  Susan was a 2016 breast cancer survivor, fierce fighter and was on the road to wellness, with plans to return flying when she suddenly fell ill and passed on June 14, 2017. She is survived by her life partner Charles A. Pratt and his aforementioned children (and grandchild Harper Lois); her mother Vivian L. Reynolds, brother Joseph R. Reynolds III, nephew Mathu L. Moore (and his children Eve and Isabella), niece Maya L. Stripling, niece Aurora L. Reynolds, nephew Isaiah J. Reynolds, and a host of family and friends. Friends may call at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 29, 2017 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Battle Creek with The Very Rev. Brian Coleman officiating.  Interment will take place at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. Condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org