Holly Anne Reynolds

Holly Anne Reynolds, 71, of Isle of Palms, SC, peacefully passed away on December 2, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.  

Born on September 10, 1952, in Baltimore, MD, Holly graduated from Moore College of Art, with a BS in Art Education in 1974.  After a brief period of student teaching, she moved on to work with her father at an engineering firm building the Washington DC area metro system.  Holly married her husband, Michael Reynolds, and was a devoted miliary wife, traveling around the US with Michael, a US Navy nuclear submariner until they settled in South Carolina in 1985.    

About this time Holly turned to art as a full-time career.  Her favorite medium were oil paintings featuring the aquatic birds and scenery of South Carolina's low country marshes, beaches, and maritime industry.  She was regularly commissioned to paint portraits of children, pets, and boats by the local community.  She was an avid fisher and gardener.  Holly fell in love with local area bird population she regularly painted which moved her to establish the Island Bird Rescue group which she ran for over 30 years along with assisting Isle of Palms Fire Department rescuing injured birds back to health.  Holly became a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation expert with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as well as the US Department of the Interior.  Holly truly had a special gift working with injured animals, saving thousands over the course of 30 years.  She was able to find ways to keep them calm until they returned back to the wild. 

Holly held classes with the Girl Scouts, Brownies, and church groups educating people about the local area aquatic bird population to share her passion with others.  She made friends easily and was able to connect with many different types of people due to her genuine, kindhearted approach, she would sacrifice her own needs to help others.  

In recent years, with her physical health in decline, Holly became more of a consultant for animal rescue groups as her mobility became limited.   Throughout her life, she was a loving, giving wife, amazing cook, close friend to many and she will be missed.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Holly's name to Keepers of the Wild, 1606 Coolers Dairy Road, Walterboro, SC 29488.  Or online at this link:     Donate - Keeper of the Wild.

Holly requested a private ceremony to spread her ashes across the marsh in one of her favorite places.  A reception is being held Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm in the Sweetgrass Room at the Hampton Inn, 11004 Isle of Palms Connector, Mt. Pleasant, SC  29464 (843) 856-3900.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Charleston, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.