Ella Marie Bryant

Ella “Marie” Bryant, 85, long time Elk City, Kansas resident passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at her home at Eagle Estates in Independence, Kansas. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.  A Celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 12, 2023 at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory with inurnment to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery at Elk City, Kansas. Memorials in honor of Marie may be made to Elk City Global Methodist Church and may be left with the chapel.

Marie was born October 19, 1937, in Hulah, Oklahoma to Paul A. and Treva E. (Stephens) Wassom. She graduated in 1955 from Elk City high school. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in education from Wichita State University graduating magna cum laude in 1973.  She received her master’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University.  On February 8, 1958, Marie married Max Bryant in Caney, Kansas. The couple lived briefly in Seattle, Washington and Wichita, Kansas before settling in Douglass, Kansas, and later moving to Elk City, Kansas.   Marie was employed as a teacher for many years and taught in Derby, Elk City and Independence, Kansas until her retirement. Marie was very active in the communities where she lived.  She served as a Girl Scout leader, helped with Vacation Bible schools, held science camps for USD 446 students, and hosted the notorious “boy week” where she entertained all 5 grandsons for a fun filled week each summer, fostering wonderful life-long memories for her grandsons. Marie was a member of Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron, Elk City Pride, and was awarded the Kansas State Teacher Award. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s group and was active in servicing bereavement lunches with the church among many other projects.  Marie was passionate about her faith.  She was active in her community, and she loved children and teaching.  But most of all she loved her family.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Max and one sister, Carmen Dietz. Those left to cherish her memory include one son, Steve ( Glenda) Bryant, Independence, Kansas; two daughters, Terri ( Vance Cain) Bryant-Cain, Independence, Kansas; Sheryl Schmidtberger, Arkansas City, Kansas; one brother, Ed ( Maureen) Wassom, Edna, Kansas; two sisters, Theresa Hodges, Topeka, Kansas; Wanda (Dick) Deen, Pratt, Kansas; five grandchildren Adam (Nataliya) Schmidtberger, Andover, Kansas; Cole (Brittany) Schmidtberger, Pratt, Kansas; Tyler ( Kayla) Bryant, Spring Hill, Kansas; Wade ( Mindy) Bryant, Andover, Kansas; Blake ( Michael) Bryant, Prairie Village, Kansas; twelve great grandchildren, Landon, Lane, Bentley, Harper, Cannon, Ava, Matthew, Tressan, Kayden, Wyatt, Clay, and Linus. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.