Frances T. Bryant

FRANCES T. BRYANT Frances Farley Thornton Bryant, born February 12, 1921, in Madison, AL, died June 1, 2012, at age 91 in Raleigh, NC. Daughter of the late Herbert Lafayette Thornton and Frances Lorinda Farley, she was the wife of the late Stephen Hampton Bryant, Sr. Frances graduated from Riverside High School in Decatur, AL, and received a teaching certificate from Florence State Teachers' College in Florence, AL. She reared her three children in West Point, MS, where her husband was a banker. Her later years were spent in Tupelo, MS, and Raleigh, NC. Frances was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ; a devoted wife; a loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother; a dear daughter, sister, and aunt; and a kind friend and mentor. She served her community as a leader of the New Century Club of West Point and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served her Lord in the First Baptist Church of West Point, Calvary Baptist Church of Tupelo, and Forest Hills Baptist Church of Raleigh. She taught adult Sunday School for many years, sang in the senior adult choir, led Woman's Missionary Union groups, and ministered to others through intercessory prayer. An avid reader and library user, she reviewed many a book for various groups. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy T. Cooper of Madison, AL, and Elizabeth T. Watkins of Warner Robins, GA. Survivors include her sister, Lorinda T. Williams of Hollywood, FL; her brother, William G. Thornton, and wife Joanne Rowe of Rio Rancho, NM; her son, Stephen H. Bryant, Jr., and wife Dorene Woods of Rowlett, TX; her daughter, Nancy K. Bryant, of Huntsville, AL; and her daughter, Carolyn Sue B. Farr, and husband Rogers of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren, Stephen H. Bryant III, and wife Amy Lucas of Ft. Worth, TX, Emily B. Mize and husband Shane of The Woodlands, TX, and William W. Bryant and wife Sally Sarrett of Portland, OR; great-granddaughter, Claire A. Mize of The Woodlands, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews. A grave-side service will be held Saturday, June 9, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Tupelo Memorial Park in Tupelo, MS. A memorial service will take place in Raleigh, NC, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607, or to the Springmoor Endowment Fund, Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615.