ValJean Bryson Dyer

Valjean Bryson Dyer, age 82, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2017 at her home in Austin, Texas surrounded by her family. Valjean was born on April 20, 1935 in Austin, Texas to Earl Grey and Jessie Mae Bryson. She is the oldest of three daughters. Valjean grew up in south Austin attending Becker and Travis Heights Elementary Schools. She was very close to her grandparents as well as her cousins especially Pat Hocker. Valjean attended Fulmore Jr. High and went on to Austin High. She was a member of the band at both schools playing the flute.

It was in high school where she met the love of her life Wallace E. Dyer. Valjean graduated in 1953 from Austin High and married Wallace in December of 1954. She began working for the Texas Highway Department at night and attended Nixon Clay Business College. Valjean worked her way up into the finance division at the Highway Department where she worked for 32 years. She followed her passion for photography and began taking classes at ACC in the late 70’s.

She opened Val Dyer Photography in 1980. With Wallace as her assistant, they did wedding and portrait photography until 2009. They also photographed many area high school dance and cheerleader teams. Valjean photographed the Westlake Hyline for over 10 years.

Valjean was well respected in the photography community and deeply loved by her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, watching movies, gardening and traveling with the Haynes family. She and Wallace took many trips to Europe. Valjean loved animals especially dogs. Her dogs were her babies.

Valjean is predeceased by her parents and beloved granddaughter, Bryson Beecroft. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Wallace, daughters D’Ann Dyer and Denise Beecroft, son-in-law Michael Beecroft, grandchildren Kaitlyn and Charlie Beecroft, sisters Judy Ellis and Cynthia Bryson, brother-in-law David Dyer and wife Mary; along with many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to thank Griswold Home Care and Heart to Heart Hospice for the loving care they provided to Valjean.

A visitation will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home. The service will take place at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, September 24, 2017 at in the funeral home chapel.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers please donate to Capital of Texas Alzheimer’s Association or Austin Humane Society.