Services for Susan Perry Bryan, 96, of Tyler are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Monday, April 23, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches under the direction of Cason Monk Metcalf Funeral Home. A reception will be held at the church following the service. Mrs. Bryan died on April 19, 2018 in Tyler.
Susan Perry Bryan was born in Mineola, Texas on November 9, 1921 to Minna Lee Norwood Perry and William Edward Perry. When she was six years old she returned to her mother’s hometown of Nacogdoches where she lived until she was in 7th grade. Her teenage years were spent in Paris, Texas with the exception of her senior year of high school which was in Jayton, Texas.
Susan enrolled in Stephen F. Austin in 1939 and was active in Pine Burr Social club (now Chi Omega) where she served as president her senior year. She received her B. S. in Home Economics in 1941. Following graduation, she taught Home Economics in the Ysleta school district before beginning graduate school at the University of Chicago. She went on to work in the experimental kitchen at Ballard Mills (now Pillsbury) before returning to Texas as a county home extension agent in Sinton.
In 1949, Susan married Arnold Bryan and moved to Robstown. They had 3 children, Betty Bryan Cruikshank, Sally Bryan (deceased), and William Arnold Bryan. While living in Robstown and San Benito, she taught first grade. In 1964, the family moved to Lufkin Texas where she began a 25 year career as a home service advisor for Texas Power and Light. After retirement she lived in Nacogdoches, Sugar Land, and Tyler. Mrs. Bryan was a Life Member of the SFA Alumni Association.
Mrs. Bryan was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, parents, aunt and uncle, Jewel Norwood Tilford and T. G. Tilford, aunts Jonnie Norwood Burke, and Elizabeth Norwood Seale Cutherall, brother Bill Perry, and cousins, James and John Arthur Seale. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Betty Bryan Cruikshank and Kenneth Cruikshank, of Horseshoe Bay and son and daughter-in-law, William Arnold (Bill) Bryan and Sarah Hightower Bryan, of Tyler. In addition, survivors include 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of East Texas, Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches, or the charity of your choice.
