Danise Reynolds was born on the first day of summer, June 21, 1948 in Roanoke Virginia to the late D.S. 'Pete' and Faye Hanks Vass. She was raised in Galax, Virginia, where she built a lovely and full life centered around community, church, and her family.

She attended Longwood College and returned to the Galax City School System where she was educated to teach for her entire  career mostly working with fourth graders. She was known as a tough teacher but cared deeply about all of her students and loved hearing stories about how they were doing and where they ended up as adults.

After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with friends and had opportunities to see some amazing places. Utah and Ireland were some of her favorite locations, but she talked fondly of an Alaska cruise with her mother, a trip to London with her mother and daughter, and many trips with her dear friends Diane and Norma. She was also part of a vibrant community at the Galax Recreation Center centered around water aerobics and senior activities. She cherished the local Red Hat community as well.

Her faith was essential to her, and she was a lifelong, active member of the Galax United Methodist Church where she raised her children, attended services and Bible study, and served with the United Methodist Women.

She fiercely loved and was proud of her family and created a home where all of that family often gathered, felt seen, loved, welcome, and protected. She was delighted that there were a few little ones added to family events in recent years. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Cathy Elizabeth Vass-Skoog and Sarah Lee Lineberry. She is survived by daughters Julie Grimes (partner Josh Vaughn) of Galax and Laura Reynolds (husband A.J. Maher) of Gainesville Florida, grandchildren Keri Keith (husband Austin Keith), Troy Grimes, Brandi Galyean (husband Morgan Galyean), Grayson Kai Reynolds Maher, and great grandchildren Emma and Zadey Keith. Nephew and niece David Skoog and Shelby Amanda Skoog (husband Matt Starkey and children August and Silas) were also beloved members of her immediate family. She passed away peacefully at her home on December 20, 2025 surrounded in love by this family.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday December 30 at 1PM in the First United Methodist Church. A graveside service will follow in Felts Memorial Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church in Galax or St Jude.