Mary Jeanetta (Goodlett) Bryant

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Mary Jeanetta (Goodlett) Bryant, 84, of Morristown, passed away on Dec. 30, 2015, at her home in Morristown. Mrs. Bryant was born on April 12, 1931, in Spencer County, Ky., the daughter of James Robert and Mamie (Stewart) Goodlett. She married Ray Bryant on April 2, 1962.

Mrs. Bryant grew up in rural Kentucky, where she excelled as a student and understood the uplifting potential of education at an early age. After making the most of her education in a one-room schoolhouse in Briar Ridge, Ky., Mrs. Bryant attended Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Kentucky. She secured scholarship support in order to attend first Midway College and later Transylvania University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. She taught elementary grades, primarily first grade, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Indianapolis Public Schools, and Greenfield Central Schools from 1952-1970.

Mrs. Bryant was a devoted educator, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She enjoyed reading, drawing, following political events, and collecting holiday Christmas tree pins. She also particularly enjoyed educating young children, and she read to and tutored her young children, grandchildren, and many others. Her principle avocation was as an enthusiastic and talented perennial gardener, and she reveled in the beauty of each flower and bud.

Mrs. Bryant was a member of the Greenfield Christian Church, and she was also devoted to the ideals of ecumenicalism, inspired by her participation in the Chautauqua summer camp in the early 1950s.

Survivors include two children, Kevin Bryant (Jane) of Greenfield and Rebecca Bryant (Geoffrey Griffiths) of Urbana, Ill.; as well as grandchildren, Kara, Emily and Kevin Ray; great- granddaughter, Braylynn and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her sisters, Pauline and Hallie and her brothers, Joseph and Bobby.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. The funeral service will take place immediately following the visitation at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown.

In lieu of flowers, donations are invited to the Hancock Hope House, 35 E. Pierson Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 or the charity of your choice.

Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].