Mary Dale (McKee) Bryant

Mary Bryant of San Angelo, Texas passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Mrs. Bryant was retired from the Texas State Department of Human Services.

She was born at her Grannie McKee’s house in Sonora, Texas, February 18, 1931, to John Thomas and Sarah Taylor McKee who ranched in Sutton County, Texas. Growing up on the McKee Ranch she loved the ranching life. As a five-year old, she trained a horse to rear up on command as she passed Grannie’s window, giving her Grannie a start each time. She rode many horses but favored Sugar Lump and Chammy and relished reminiscing of her exploits with these horses.

She attended school in Sonora and later Fort Stockton, Pecos, and San Angelo. She is remembered for two notable accomplishments during her teen years in San Angelo. At age 17 she rescued a neighbor woman from a burning house on 13th Street. In the summer of 1949 San Angelo experienced the highest per capita rate of polio cases in the nation. During this period Mrs. Bryant worked as a nurse’s aide in the polio ward performing her duties in an isolation gown and mask.

Mary was talented. She was adept at sketching animals, in particular collie dogs and horses. She made stick horses for her little sister and younger cousins and revived that artwork in her retirement. Some of her patterns are still preserved. A Christmas short story she wrote, recounting a meeting with Santa who was wearing her daddy’s boots, was twice published in the local newspaper. She wrote her section of a Taylor family history book published in 2002, The Stories of the Taylors and Altizers and “Passing It On.”

Mary married Billie Lee Bryant in 1951. The couple had two children, Jerry, born in 1952 and Peggy, born in 1958. Mrs. Bryant worked in a number of area business including Safeway, “M” System, and Central National Bank prior to joining the Texas State Department of Human Services in 1980. She was recognized with several awards during her tenure with the state. In 1981 she was named Outstanding Receptionist of the Region and in 1982 she was twice recognized with quarterly awards. In 1984 Mrs. Bryant was named Employee of the Year for her Region. The award was presented to her by the State Commissioner and Regional Director of the Texas Department of Human Services.

Mary and her sister, Mattie, were baptized in 1948 at the Harris and Irving Street Church of Christ in San Angelo. She was a member of the Southgate Church of Christ and was delighted that her children had been baptized. She was devoted to her church family and they were steadfast in their love for her.

Since 2015 Mary has resided at the Meadow Creek Nursing Home. Her gregarious personality brightened many a person’s day and she loved to show new residents around the facility. She was twice elected Valentine Queen at Meadow Creek.

Mary is survived by her son, Jerry G. Bryant and daughter-in-law Deborah of Green Valley, AZ; daughter, Peggy Sue Aitches of San Angelo; grandson, Anton Aitches; great granddaughter, Elori Aitches, of San Angelo; and sister, Mattie Mae McKee of San Angelo, Frost McKee and sister-in-law Joni of Pflugerville; nephews, Kyle, Josh and Mark Mckee, and numerous Altizer, Taylor and McKee cousins and their families.

The funeral will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southgate Church of Christ, 528 Country Club Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904. The family welcomes your in-person attendance adhering to social distancing and wearing masks. Alternatively, you may attend virtually by visiting:

https://www.facebook.com/SouthgateChurchofChrist/

The service will be officiated by Paul Shero. In lieu of flowers you may wish to consider a donation to Mary’s favorite organization, the San Angelo Christian Academy, 518 Country Club Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904.

The family thanks everyone who was kind and helpful to Mary and the Meadow Creek Nursing Home Staff for their loving care of her. May you cherish your memories of her as we do. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com