Thelma Bryant

Thelma Louise Bryant, 85 of Paola, passed away Friday, May 28, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born October 28, 1924 in Chetopa, KS to William and Edith Louise Pearson Fulkerson. She grew up in the southeastern Kansas area, attending school through the 8th grade. On January 1, 1945 she was united in marriage to Dale Eugene Bryant in Independence, KS; they became the parents of eight children. Thelma was a homemaker and devoted her life to her family. She worked from sunrise to the early hours of the morning cleaning, cooking, sewing, canning vegetables, doing whatever needed to be done; she rarely sat down. She was a devoted Wife, Mom, Grandma, and Great-grandma; her greatest joy was having her family together. She also enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, craft shows and bluegrass festivals. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dale, in 2005; her parents; two grandsons, Shane Bryant and Rodney Bryant (infant); and two brothers, Billy and Howard. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her eight children; son, Robert Dean and wife Barbara of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Joyce Ardell Dobbins of Olathe, KS; son, Roger and wife Terri of Louisburg, KS; daughter, Ilamay Evans and husband Richard of Paola, KS; daughter, Janna Dixon and husband Larry of Ottawa, KS; son, Randy and wife Kathy of Wichita, KS; daughter, Lora Bryant of Paola, KS; and daughter, Glora Mathews and husband Phil of Lane, KS; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren with another due in July; and a sister, Delores Collins, of Independence, MO. All of whom will be lost without her. She suffered a debilitating stroke in 2004, which required her to put her pride aside and rely on family and caregivers for her every need and she did so with true grace, just as she had lived her life before the stroke. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone and always saw the positive in every situation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thelma Bryant Funeral Fund in care of the funeral home.