Maynard Oscar Reynolds, son of William Henry Harrison and Margaret (Collins) Reynolds, was born February 2, 1870, in Coles county, Illinois. Maynard's mother died when he was 3 years old, so he was raised by his stepmother Susie Gray.
He received his education in the public schools of Coles County and in a college at Danville, Indiana. For 12 years he taught school. His active religious life began when he was a boy of fifteen. He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was very active.
Maynard married Flora Bryant on February 4, 1891, and they had five children:
| Maynard Everett Reynolds | Everett was born 1895 and married Inez Nutter. |
| Mabel Sylvia Reynolds | |
| Minnie Lucille Reynolds | |
| Ralph Irwin "Pete" Reynolds | |
| Eugene Marion Reynolds |
Maynard entered the gospel ministry around 1900 in response to the call of God which he felt in early youth. His first pastorate was his home church. Later he served a church in Coffeen, Illinois, and from April 1905 until shortly before his death he served as pastor of the Presbyterian church at Gibbon and Buda. As a pastor Mr. Reynolds was dearly beloved by the people.
Maynard contracted tuberculosis and died young, at the age of 40, on August 19, 1910. He was laid to rest in the Gibbon cemetery. His obituary is clear evidence of the high regard in which he was held by the community.
Flora remarried to Albert Akrum in 1918, and after his death, to Walter C. Bell. She was then referred to as Grandma Bell by the family.
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