Verda Bryant

Verda Evelyn Ruby (Bilger) Bryant, 101, returned to her Maker on August 30, 2011. She died after a prolonged illness at Rosewood assisted-care facility in Independence, MO. She was born in Norfolk, NE on January 28, 1910 and lived in Omaha, NE area through her high school and early married years. The family briefly lived in Athens, OH and Pressman’s Home, TN before moving to the Independence, MO area in 1944. Verda was an active member of the Community of Christ and devoted her life in service to the church, mostly in the teaching of church children and youth. She normally served in the background, but was highly influential in teaching of church children and their teachers, and in the development of lesson materials for children and youth in: pre-baptismal classes, Sunday Schools, Vacation Church Schools, and reunions (church family camps). In the 1940s through the 1960s she was arguably one of the most prolific of the writers of church books, and frequently wrote articles for The Herald, the church periodical magazine. She was ordained an elder when she was 81 and in her later years, she provided activities, lessons, and services for the Gather Inn, a community of senior citizens centered at the Stone Church congregation. She married Stele (Burt) Bryant in 1930, and had two children, Blair Bryant (wife, Ruth) and Barbara (husband, David L.) Thatcher. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Ambrose (Simpson) Bilger; her two sisters, Verna and Ruth; her brother, Homer; her husband Burt; and her daughter, Barbara. She is survived by her son, Blair, her son-in-law David (Lynn) Thatcher, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Verda and Stele, served as tour escorts of ReLaDaSa Tours, and they escorted thousands of tourists to visit over 179 countries in 125 separate tours over a period of about 25 years. She will be cremated and there will be no viewing, but a memorial service celebrating her live, will be conducted at the Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050 at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2011, with visitation starting at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. She will be entombed beside her husband’s ashes at Mound Grove Cemetery Mausoleum. Rather than receiving elaborate floral displays, Verda preferred contributions be made in her name, to one of her favorite charities, Outreach International, which specializes in helping Third World poor to learn how to help themselves. (Outreach International, PO Box 210, Independence, MO 64051-0210)