Memorial for Lt. Col. Deborah ''Debbie'' Reynolds

Lt. Col. Deborah (Debbie) Reynolds (nee Blackburn), 52, she lost her 11-year battle with melanoma (skin cancer), on Dec. 21, 2011.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Marge Blackburn, and her father, Jim Blackburn.

She was the wife of Scott Reynolds for 28 years; mother of Justin and Josh; and sister of Jim (Debbie) Blackburn, Trina (Larry) Hernandez, Bill (Martha) Blackburn.

Her family said she loved hiking, biking, watching sports, and enjoying life. One of her greatest joys was watching her son, Justin, play sports. She also was an avid Cardinals' and MIZZOU fan her entire life.

She attended Belleville East High School, and obtained a bachelor's degree in political science from McKendree College. While at McKendree, she played basketball and softball. While in the U.S. Air Force, she earned a master's in public administration from Golden Gate University.

She received her commission while attending McKendree College through the ROTC program in 1981. She proudly served her beloved country in the Air Force and the Missouri Air National Guard for 28 years. Her duties and travels took her all over the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Guam, South Korea, Turkey and Thailand. Debbie enjoyed traveling and learning about other cultures. She loved the time she spent at Jefferson Barracks (JB) leading the men and women of her division.

When she wasn't at JB, she was a substitute teacher for the . She always had a book in her hands and loved to read and loved to run -- but not at the same time. She spent hours each week at the and loved exercising in the Zumba class.

She was a member of LifePointe Church in (formerly ) where she taught several Bible studies. She also attended Bible Study Fellowship. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her integrity, and her devotion to the United States and the men and women that serve in the armed forces. Her motto was "Always do the right thing."

Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway in Ballwin.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Schrader. Interment will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Melanoma Research Foundation.

Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook.