Jean Bryant

Jean Bryant, 76, of Fulton, died at The Bluffs Nursing Home in Columbia, Missouri on Sunday, June 24, 2007. She was born June 30, 1930 in Ilkeston Derbyshire, England, daughter of the late Dorothy May Martin-Larkins and Hector Ewart Richardson. She arrived in the United States on June 22, 1953. Although she lived in the United States for fifty-four years she proudly retained her British Citizenship. She was preceded in death by an infant son, David Bryant. She was a teacher and Director of Fulton?s first Head Start Program from 1968 – 1973. She touched the lives of many children through her devotion and commitment to their education and wellbeing. In 1973 she became an employee of the Division of Family Services – Child Care licensing. For 22 years she traveled extensively around the state ensuring the safety of thousands of children in child care facilities. Her rapport with co-workers and clients was warm and genuine. She loved what she did. She retired from the Division of Family Services in August 1995. Upon retiring she spent time traveling across the United States – visiting her children and grandchildren from Maine to California. She was a member of the Millersburg Christian Church. In February of 2003 she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a bone marrow/blood disease. She is survived by one son, Steven P. Bryant and his wife Mary of Crestwood, KY and four daughters, Susan Huey and her husband Andy of Fulton, MO, Sally Shannon and her husband Jon of Scarborough, ME, Sara Jane Shircliff and her husband Michael of Yucaipa, CA and Stacy Bryant-Wimp and her husband Jay of Columbia, MO. Sixteen grandchildren, Ashton Huey, Jamie Huey, Bryant Shannon, Samantha Shircliff, Andrew Huey, Stephanie Shannon, Gentry Bryant, Sydney Shircliff, Chase Bryant, Christian Shannon, Cameron Bryant, Adrik Bryant-Wimp, Madalyn Shircliff, Emily Bryant-Wimp, Megan Bryant and Evan Bryant-Wimp. Other survivors include one sister, Barbara (Babs) Seip and her husband, Carl of Millersburg, a step-mother, Betty Richardson of Nottingham, England and two step-brothers, Ewart Richardson of London, England and Peter Richardson of Austria. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Millersburg Christian Church with Rev. Richard Blount officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, P.O. Box 3273, North Attleboro, MA 02761-3273. Monies will be used to help support research for Angelman Syndrome, a condition her grandchild, Stephanie Jean, was diagnosed with as a child. The family wishes to thank the health care professionals at The Bluffs Nursing Home for their excellent care of their mom.