Frances Bryant
Godfrey |
Her family, our community and a wide world of friends mourn the passing of Gay Bryant who
died July 24, 2016 after a courageous struggle with cancer. A community leader and supporter
of civic good her entire life, Gay led every organization to which she leant her considerable
talents; chairing most, contributing her ideas, expertise and devotion to them all. Gay served
consecutively on all three Boards of her beloved Alton Memorial Hospital (Board of Directors,
Foundation Board, and White Cross Auxiliary Board). Her ability at creative fund-raising is
legend.
Equally important to Gay was her dedication to the Episcopal Parish of Alton where she
served multiple terms on the Vestry, chaired every imaginable committee, was a constant
presence in the kitchen, and directed the church school and youth group for 25+ years. Her
involvement with Episcopal Youth at the local level soon drew her into state and national
Episcopal Youth Event planning. There are literally hundreds of adults who will remember today
Gay's steady, firm, fun-loving direction of them when they were teens at these youth events.
Gay was never a member of a group "in name only". To the varied and many organizations
to which she belonged, she contributed her experience and knowledge, served in many
positions of leadership, and was awarded every conceivable award: Alton Children's Theater,
Junior League of Greater Alton, Alton Women's Home, Alton Marketplace, Riverbend Headstart
and Family Services, Alton Community Service League begin a list.
Named a Woman of Distinction by the Alton YWCA, Gay was also tapped by the St. Louis
area as a Woman of Achievement, in part for her careful administration of the Episcopal
Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief monies earmarked for our area after the great flood of
1993.
Surpassing all these achievements, however, was Gay's love of her family and her devotion
to friends. Her beloved husband Bill of 50+ years and son John both predeceased her.
Daughter Meg Johnson and her partner Scott Dorris and grandsons Will and Bryant Johnson
remained the primary focus of her life. Gay was an only child with little family; early in her life
she learned to take beloved friends into her heart as if they were family. And there they
remained.
Born in Miami, Oklahoma, on November 26, 1939, to Frank and Gladys Pauly, she was
educated in the public schools in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, following her family's move there. Gay
continued her formal education at Lindenwood College in St. Louis, graduating in 1962. She
worked as Director of Programming for KMOX Radio after graduation. Following her marriage
and her move to Alton with Bill, however, Gay devoted her life to her family, her friends, and the
many organizations she served.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at Gent Funeral Home and again
Saturday, July 30, 2016 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 10 East Third St., from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made in Gay's memory to Alton Memorial Hospital Foundation, Riverbend
Headstart, Family Services, or the Episcopal Parish of Alton. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
