Jessie
Howard Reynolds, retired educator from Altus, had a varied teaching
career that spanned 31 ˝ years. After graduating from Friendship
High School in 1937, Mrs. Reynolds attended Altus Junior College,
graduating in 1939. She earned a Bachelor of Science in 1942 and a
Master of Science in 1946 in vocational education from Oklahoma A &
M (OSU) in Stillwater. Mrs. Reynolds taught at Southside and
Hammond, and spent 26 years teaching in Checotah. She taught a
variety of subjects including vocational education, junior high
reading, and fourth and fifth grades. Mrs. Reynolds has served the
Altus community through work at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital
Hospice and as a tutor with the Literacy Council. She volunteered at
Washington Elementary School, where she was awarded a “Golden
Apple.” Mrs. Reynolds teaches Sunday school for 4 and 5 year-olds at
the First Baptist Church in Altus. She is a member of the Oklahoma
Retired Educators Association and was selected by that organization
as a Very Important Member (V.I.M.) in the district. She is also a
member of the Oklahoma Education Association and the National
Education Association. Mrs. Reynolds takes an active interest in
Western Oklahoma State College. She enrolls in college courses and
established in 1998 the Jessie Howard Reynolds Scholarship Endowment
for students seeking a degree in teacher education.
