Russell Frederick McReynolds, age 83, of Fayette, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at DCH Tuscaloosa. Services for Mr. McReynolds will be Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Fayette First Methodist Church, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Norwood-Wyatt Chapel will be directing the service.

Russell Frederick McReynolds was born on September 6, 1942, to Exie and Trannie McReynolds. 

Russell attended Grant Elementary, McComb Intermediate, Mount Clemens High School, McComb Community College, then on to Eastern Michigan University. There he received his B.B.A. He received the Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary of Atlanta, GA and the Doctorate in Ministry from the Theological School at Drew University of Madison, N.J. He was ordained Deacon (1971) and a Full Elder (1974) in the Detroit Conference.

He has served in many ministries in Michigan, including Flint Bethel United Methodist Church (UMC), Washington Heights UMC, Community Ministries of Battle Creek, Lansing Faith UMC, as well as Lansing Central UMC. He has also been District Superintendent of Kalamazoo, as well as delegate to General and jurisdictional conferences, General Board of Higher Education and Ministries, and General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. His commitment to education includes serving on the Flint Board of Education as well as a Trustee at Adrain College.

Rev. Dr. McReynolds loved sports and was known for jogging and bicycling, including completing the Dalmac ride to the Mackinaw Bridge. He and his former wife are parents of ten loving children.

During his pastorate at Central UMC, his preaching, teaching, and his encouraging ministry for community awareness and involvement, issued his pastoral heart. His passion for connecting people with God in life changing ways remained his vocation. It was his love for inner city ministry that brought him back to Central, where he worshipped, served in leadership, and continually impacted others for the sake of the kingdom of God.

It was with great joy that Central UMC Council unanimously affirmed Rev. Dr. Russell McReynolds as Pastor Emeritus of Central United Methodist Church, Lansing, MI.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Exie and Trannie McReynolds; grandparents, Bert and Luberta McReynolds and brothers, Wilbur, Lloyd and Christopher.

He is survived by his former spouse, Judy McReynolds Bowman; Children: Ayana Ages-Foster of Atlanta, GA, Malcolm Toussaint McReynolds (Marlena) or Waldorf, MD, Caleb Ismael McReynolds of Fayette, AL, Nikki Michelle McReynolds of Detroit, MI, Antonio Paul McReynolds (Lee) of Kalamazoo, MI, Jamar McReynolds of Lansing, MI, Daja Monae McReynolds of Orlando, FL, Albert Lee McReynolds of Detroit, MI, David Hassan McReynolds (Jennifer) of Redford, MI, Brittany Rose McReynolds of Westland, MI; Sister, Esther L. McReynolds-Nalls (James) of Fayette, AL; sisters-in-law: Patricia Matthews and Crystal Matthews; brother-in-law, Ronald Matthews; Grandchildren: Cameron Ages, Autumn Rose Ages, Ashton Foster, Khaliese McReynolds, Jalen Crump, Jordan McReynolds, Nigil McReynolds, Taelyn Williams, Robert Henry Doer, Chavez Jahiem McReynolds, David Hassan McReynolds, Jr., Alijah Desmon McReynolds, Jaeda Neely, Aubrianna McReynolds, Almarion McReynolds, Adezha McReynolds, Triston McReynolds, Kaden and Kaleb White and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.