Elizabeth Blackbird Bryan

Elizabeth Blackbird Bryan was born in Houston, Texas on October 14, 1963, to Barbara Anne Underwood and Royle Edward Blackbird. She passed away at the age of 61 on July 4, 2025, in Hunt, Texas alongside her beloved husband, James Hutchison Bryan, Jr. Known to many as Beth, she lived a life marked by deep faith, quiet strength, and boundless love for her family and friends.

Growing up, Beth spent her summers as a camper at both Camp Mystic and Camp Longhorn in the Texas hill country. She began attending Kinkaid in Houston, Texas in sixth grade and graduated from high school in 1981. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, graduating with a degree in Studio Art in 1985. She met the love of her life, Hutch Bryan Jr., while participating in Buccaneer Days in Corpus Christi, Texas. They continued their courtship while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain and were married at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas on June 27th, 1986. They began building a life full of love, purpose, and adventure and had just celebrated 39 wonderful years of marriage this past June.

Their son, James Hutchison Bryan III, known as Hutcher, was born in Houston, Texas. The family moved to New York City in early 2002. Their daughter, Katherine Merritt Bryan, known as Kate, was born in New York City. They loved their time in New York, also living in Larchmont, New York. While in New York, Beth followed her passion and studied interior design. She had a wonderful career in design spanning over 2 decades. The family moved back to Texas in 2009, settling in San Antonio.

They were proud members of the Forest Club in Houston, the Larchmont Yacht Club in New York, and the Argyle in San Antonio.

Beth’s heart was always with her family. She embraced motherhood with joy and grace, raising their two children, Hutcher and Kate, with unwavering devotion. Her warmth and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone she met—from neighbors and friends in Houston, New York, and Larchmont, to the tight-knit community they found upon returning to San Antonio. Beth and their family spent so many weekends in the Blackbird’s beloved family home in Hunt, Texas.

She was a longtime and active member of Christ Episcopal Church, where her gentle spirit, deep faith, and compassionate heart were constants in the lives of many. She also regularly attended St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Larchmont, New York.

Beth is survived by her mother, Barbara Blackbird, son, James Hutchison Bryan III, and daughter, Katherine Merritt Bryan; her brother, Royle Brian Blackbird, and his wife Chelsea; her sister, Brooke Blackbird Zarbaugh, and husband Matt; and six cherished nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered always for her infectious laugh and sense of humor, her graciousness, her quiet courage, and the way she made those around her feel seen, loved, and cared for.

A memorial service honoring both Beth and Hutch will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, Texas. For those unable to attend, a livestream link can be found below.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that charitable donations be made in Beth and Hutch’s memory to havenforhope.org.