‘Like a new daughter’
Searcy woman receives state Daughters of the American Revolution honor
Like many young women today, Deena Reynolds wears several different hats — daughter, wife, mother, member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and, oh … armed patrol guard.
Reynolds was born Oct. 31, 1985, in Elk City, Oklahoma, and named Deena Mariamma Chance by her parents; John Chance, who was born in Texas, and his wife, Kshamananda “Charlie” Dandi, who was born in Hydrabad, India.
“My parents met when my dad was a missionary in India,” Reynolds said.
She has two brothers, one in Texas and one in Arkansas. The family moved from Oklahoma to Panhandle, Texas, which is part of the Amarillo, Texas, metropolitan statistical area.
After graduating from high school, Reynolds attended Amarillo College before moving to Arkansas to attend Harding University. She met her husband, Jon Reynolds, at Harding. Jon, who is a propane salesman for Gibbs Bottled Gas, and Deena have been married 10 years and have one son, Sam, 1 1/2.
Deena Reynolds joined the Esther McCrory DAR Chapter in Amarillo in 2004, connecting to an aunt on her father’s side of the family. James McClosky is her ancestor who fought in the American Revolution, serving in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. According to the NSDAR website, dar.org, membership in DAR is open to any woman 18 or older who can provide lineal, bloodline descent from an
ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.
“I really never knew much about DAR until I came to Arkansas,” Reynolds said. “Members of the Texas chapter were older than I was, and I was never there to attend meetings since I had moved to Arkansas. I did not become active until about 2012, when ReBecca Van Patten Smith organized the Fredrick Van Patten chapter here in Searcy. I am one of the charter members.
“They asked me to be treasurer that first year. I said yes, but I had no idea what I was doing. So I asked to step down from that office for a few years so I could learn about DAR. Four or five years later, I was elected treasurer again and have been in that office ever since.”
Reynolds continues to serve DAR in a variety of ways.
She is the 2020-2022 state corresponding secretary for the Arkansas State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and she was named the Outstanding Junior Member of Arkansas at the virtual Arkansas State Conference in March and recognized at the virtual 130th NSDAR Continental Congress in June in Washington, D.C.
As a junior member (members up to age 36), Reynolds has served as a page at many DAR functions since 2013.
Most recently, Reynolds served as personal page to 20192022 NSDAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren, who attended the ASDAR State Board of Management meeting Aug. 13 and 14 in Little Rock. This was the first time ASDAR had held a statewide meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the meeting included a ceremony at the Old State House in Little Rock, where ASDAR has installed a DAR America 250! Patriot Marker in the DAR Room at the museum in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
VanBuren wrote in her Aug. 16 blog to NSDAR members: “It was a privilege and truly a joy for me to take part in the ceremonies that added the newest addition to the Arkansas Room: a bright and shiny America 250! DAR Patriot Marker. As you may know, it is our goal to place at least one of these bronze plaques in each of the 50 states as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Although more than 25 have been approved and many installed, this was my very first one to see in person. Thank you, Arkansas Daughters, for making this dream a reality for me — I am grateful for your willingness to honor the men and women who achieved American independence in such a prominent and beautiful place.”
Reynolds said, “Serving as page to Mrs. VanBuren was really fun. It was a pleasure to visit with Madam President General and to see everyone in person again.”
ReBecca Van Patten Smith, honorary regent for the Frederick Van Patten Chapter, organized in May 2012, shares her early memories of meeting Reynolds.
“I was introduced to Deena Reynolds in the fall of 2011 while in the process of organizing a chapter in Searcy,” Smith said. “Her name was given to me by Fern Taylor as a possible member.”
Deena was a member of a chapter in Texas but had moved to Searcy to attend Harding University.
“When we met, I was totally impressed with her,” Smith said. “My daughter’s name is Deana; it was like I had a new daughter.
“After we talked for a while, I asked her about transferring to this new chapter. … She would be an organizing charter member,” Smith said. “I also asked her if she would think about being the treasurer. I gave her a booklet to read about being the treasurer. She called me about two days later and said yes to both.
“I have tried to help and encourage Deena in every aspect of her DAR life. I am so very proud of her in everything that she does.”
Reynolds attended Harding University on a work-study program.
“At the time, I thought I might major in physical therapy or nursing,” said Reynolds, who went on to earn a degree in exercise science and is now working on a second degree in accounting at Harding. “I had to have a job, and an opening became available in the public safety department, so I applied for it and was hired. I am an armed patrol officer; I have to take special training about every six months to stay qualified.”
She said the security guards at Harding University are responsible for responding to any criminal or medical emergencies occurring on campus; are in charge of searching buildings, locking buildings and patrolling property after curfew; and work security for guest speakers, major sporting events and concerts on campus.
“I really enjoy my job,” she said, noting that she recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with the public safety department.
“Deena is truly a joy to work with,” said Craig Russell, director of public safety at Harding University. “She brings a positive attitude and a great work ethic to the job every day.
“She is our lead instructor for our women’s safety class, and the fact that the class fills quickly every semester is a good indication of what a great instructor she is. Deena’s infectious smile and sense of humor, along with always being one of the first to jump at an opportunity to help someone, is one of the reasons our department is one where people love coming to work every day.”
Russell said the department of public safety has 19 fulltime employees, 13 of whom are armed, including Deena as one of those armed patrol officers, and 30-plus part-time employees.