Rena Worthen

Rena Worthen October 8, 1944 — October 14, 2026

Rena Worthen, of Springwood, died peacefully at her home Wednesday, October 14, 2026. She was 82 years old. She grew up in rural Riner in Montgomery County. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Rosa E. and Ballard Jewell, and her mother and stepfather, Margarette J. and Francis M. Tynan. She excelled in high school and joined the Navy afterward. 

She eventually moved to Pennsylvania and had a family there. She trained to drive a big rig truck and transported goods all over the country. Later, in the 1990s, she started her career as a Botetourt County librarian. She always had a passion for history though, like her mother. She became a skilled genealogist; people sought her help all the time to learn about their families. She was an important part of local volunteer efforts to preserve history. 

She enjoyed seeing her friends at North Star, where she was “the Queen” to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margarette Jewell Tynan and Thurman Roy Baxter, Myrtle A. Tynan, infant sister, and her sister Mary Tynan Kelly. She was widowed by Jerry Southern and Jim Smith.

Rena is survived by her daughter, Melissa Southern Boyer; three siblings: Therese Tynan Powell, Clara Tynan Boggs, and William C. Tynan; grandchildren: Kenneth M. Boyer and Kristin Marie Boyer; as well as her great-grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to share and remember her at 3 PM Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Family Life Center of Fincastle United Methodist Church. Remains were cremated, according to her wishes, soon after her passing, and are interred at Philadelphia Memorial Park.