Betty Louise Bryant

Betty L. Bryant, age 100, died August 24, 2009 at Windemere Park Senior Community in Warren, Michigan. She was born April 20, 1909 in Raymondville, Texas, the daughter of Edmond & Bessie Mann. They say that "everything's big in Texas", as was the case with the Mann family. Betty was the middle-born of 11 children, and now joins all of her siblings at the ultimate family reunion on high. For 40 years, she shared her life with Hardy Bryant, her beloved husband who preceded her in death in 1975. Betty was an amazing woman, and vibrant right up until the final hours of her life. Of the many adjectives that defined Betty, one of the most profound was "hard-working". Her career paths were an eclectic array of working in the catalog department at Sears & Roebuck, to that of a Bookkeeper, to employment with the Phillips-Van Heusen Company, and as a Customer Service Representative in the Senior Living / Lodging industry. Whatever she had her hands in, she was dedicated to the task and enjoyed the fruits of her labors. Mostly, she simply enjoyed being with people, work or otherwise. For 40 of her years, Betty resided in Cape Coral, Florida. When she moved there, the town was little more than a four-corners stop along the highway. But over the years, she would watch it grow and would become involved in various community groups that included the local Yacht Club, the Michigan Club and the VFW Auxiliary. It can truly be said that Betty was "full of life"! She was mentally strong & young, funny-to-the-bone, and had a competitive nature that showed itself each time she engaged her friends & neighbors in games like Pinnocle, Bingo and WII Bowling. Another activity she so enjoyed sharing with her fellow tenants was putting together the playing card packets for our soldiers. Betty was also an avid bowler. She "rolled the boards" until the age of 94, and managed to pull down an 140 average in the process. She loved baseball and her Detroit Tigers. Just last Thursday, she was down at the stadium rooting on her boys of summer. She kept close track of the games and could share stats with the best of them. She loved to travel, especially when it was aboard one of the many sea cruises she embarked upon. One of her favorite excursions was the trip to Caracas. When it came to local travels, a favorite destination was, always, her seat at the casino slot machines. Living as long as she did, her family reflects on how proud she was of her independence. With so many of her years being an exercize of individual strength, she stepped up to the plate with courage, stamina and her head held high. She leaves a legacy that will be remembered and cherished forever. Beloved wife of the late Hardy Bryant. Loving mother of Robert (Sharlene) Ebbole. Dearest grandmother of Carolyn Bickle, Janet Ebbole, David (Jeri) Ebbole, Robert P. (Candice) Ebbole, and Katherine (David) Lahey. Also survived by 8 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Inurnment will take place at Clinton Grove Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan. Arrangements entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Rd) in Warren. Please share memories of Betty at her guest book. For her 100th birthday celebration, Betty exuded a touch of that humorous side of her character by doing a table dance for everybody. The folks at Windemere were more than happy to shorten the legs a bit for safety-sake, and dance she did. And when asked what the key to her longevity was, she happily turned to her CC & Water's. Though she wasn't much of a drinker, the monthly birthday bashes found her clutching one of these cool & refreshing glasses of joy!