Deborah Janet Syler

Deborah Janet Syler age 73 of Bryant, Arkansas was called to heaven on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 after a courageous battle with dementia. While she knew dementia would win in the end, she lived her life as fully as she could during the time she had.

Janet was born February 7, 1952 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and she immediately developed a talent and love for education. Janet took pride in helping others to become better through education, because growing up in hard times she saw how much people around her had to struggle without it.

You would never see Janet in the spotlight or up front because she always preferred to nurture those who stayed in the back row. Janet was a fierce advocate for her family, her church, and her friends. She always wanted the best for people and wasn’t afraid to push to help them realize what they could be. Just like her mom, Janet was happiest when she was able to please others.

Janet was preceded her in death by her parents, Jimmie and Irma Franklin and her grandparents Harvey and Myrtle Neighbors.

Janet is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Wayne Syler. During the last few years of her life Wayne was her caregiver, doing everything he could to make sure she was able to enjoy life. Janet has two children, James and his wife Stephanie Syler of Texarkana, and Julie Syler and husband Huw Elliott of London, England.

Because from birth “he would always argue with a fence post”, Janet would always joke that she knew her son was going to be a preacher or a lawyer…and with a grin always had to admit he went the wrong way and became a lawyer. Janet was so proud to watch her daughter bloom into an amazing professional musician, but more importantly that as a librarian she made a career of helping those in the community learn the value of reading.

Janet loved her brother and sisters and could not imagine life without them. She is also survived by two sisters and one brother, Robbyn Benbrook and her husband William of Arkadelphia, Darrell Franklin and wife Lecia of Amity, and Jama Hardage and husband Benny of Bismarck. She also leaves four nieces and one nephew, Melissa Sherrill, Lily Franklin, Whitney Allen, Kenda Martin, and B. J. Hardage, and her brother in law and sister in law Doug and Linda Syler.

A celebration of Janet’s life is scheduled for Saturday October 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Bethsaida Church of Christ near Amity. More information will follow.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Connections Hunger Relief,10421 W. Markham Street, Suite100 Cone Building, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.

Cremation arrangements under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhome.com.