Mabel Lynn Bryant, 94
A memorial service for Mabel Lynn Bryant, 94, of Gainesville, was held Oct. 16, 2021, at First Christian Church in Gainesville. Mrs. Bryant died Oct. 11 at Hospice House in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
She was born April 4, 1927, in Tracy Ferry, Arkansas, the daughter of Will and Retta Cox Hicks. After graduating from Mountain Home High School during World War II, she went on to do many things in life and had many occupations. She and several classmates were recruited to go to work for the FBI in Washington, D.C., as secretary field agents. One of her favorite jobs, however, was working in the old drug store soda fountains in Mountain Home. There were many stories from those times.
She was proudest of her family. On Feb. 26, 1946, in Amos, Arkansas (now known as Lakeview) she married Robert James Columbus after he returned home from World War II. They had three children whom she loved deeply. Her sons blessed her with four beloved grandchildren and then six great-grandchildren.
As much as she loved her family, she was also quick with a wooden spoon or dish towel, but no one ever had to worry about going hungry or leaving without her sending them home with some sort of snack, book or goodie she had whipped up with her yarn and crochet hooks. She also had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening. She had many plants and beautiful gardens in her younger days.
Her secret to living such a long, fulfilled life was plain vanilla ice cream – didn’t matter if it was the cheapest kind available – and at least two pots of coffee a day, plain black. Until the end, she was ecstatic to get a milkshake and always wanted to get up to get everyone some coffee.
She loved her God, and since the 1980s she was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church in Gainesville, where she was blessed with many cherished friendships over the years.
Mrs. Bryant is survived by one son, Steve Bryant and wife Vickie of Gainesville; one daughter-in-law, Karen Bryant of Mountain Home; grandchildren Travis Bryant and wife Cynthia, Brandi Dunnermann and husband Connelly, and Samuel Bryant and wife Melissa, all of Gainesville, Ashley Bryant of Las Vegas, Nevada, Austin Childress of Branson, and Hannah VanCamp and husband Austin of Thornfield; great-grandchildren Trace and Sabra Bryant, Kevin Tatum and Logan Dunnermann, Shae-Lynn and Sawyer Bryant, Emery and Weston Jefcoat, and Axel and Desmond VanCamp; and one sister, Norma Jean Cash of Moody.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Will and Retta Hicks; her beloved husband, Robert; daughter Kathy Bryant and son Bob Bryant; and two sisters, Willie Jones and Opal Reynolds.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House in Mountain Home.
Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.