Obituary of Mary Bryant

Mary Naomi “Folly” Bryant, a long-time resident of Annona, passed on to her eternal home on Friday, the 23rd of August of 2019 at Clarksville Nursing Center.

Born January 18, 1924 in Minden, Louisiana to Marion and Jesse Jones Jackson, Folly’s career occupation was fulfilled as a registered nurse.  During the early part of her career, she married William Wesley “Tex” Bryant, Jr. on January 17, 1946.  Shortly after marriage, Folly and Tex lived in the New York/New Jersey area while Tex worked with Joe Ed Russell.  They spent several years in a small travel trailer while travelling the northeastern United States selling insurance.  During that time, the two of them even attended President Truman’s Presidential Inaugural Ball.  In the early 1950’s, Annona became their permanent home where they raised their three children.  Folly resumed her nursing career by working at the Clarksville Hospital on Baker Street and working for Dr. Melvin Marx.  She retired from Clarksville ISD having been employed as the school nurse for over twenty years.  Folly and Tex loved to travel and ventured to Europe, several Caribbean islands, and all fifty of the United States.

Folly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In her spare time, she liked going to garage sales and auctions.  Folly enjoyed watching baseball and football on television and attending Texas Ranger baseball games.  She was an avid pet enthusiast.  Over the years, the household pets ranged from a spider monkey to a Shetland pony.  Never one to especially enjoy cooking, she loved hamburgers as her favorite meal.  However, in her later years, she even tackled cooking holiday dinners to serve to her family.  She had a keen sense of humor and was always one to say what was on her mind.

She is survived by her children: Wesley Jackson Bryant (Nancy); Paul Edward “Bear” Bryant (Pam); and Jayne Ann Bryant Hollomon (Jimmy); grandchildren: Tabbatha Bryant Pipes, Danielle Bryant, Kevin Hollomon, Jamie Bryant Etzkorn, Mark Hollomon, and Jeffery Hollomon; great-grandchildren:   Gabe Pipes, Trevor Hollomon, Autumn Etzkorn, and Marley Hollomon; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Jesse Jones Jackson; her husband, William Wesley “Tex” Bryant, Jr.; sisters, Othell Jackson Schleker, Wanda Jackson Cameron, and Carole Jackson Luce; and nephews, David Schleker and Craig Schleker.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Clarksville Nursing Center and Hospice Plus for their loving care of precious Folly. 

Graveside services are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at the Parchman Cemetery with Rev. James Brown officiating.  Burial is under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.  No formal visitation is scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Parchman Cemetery, c/o Paul Bryant, 905 W. 11th St., Clarksville, Texas 75426.