Frances Gay Bryant

Her family, our community and a wide world of friends mourn the passing of Gay Bryant who died July 24, 2016 after a courageous struggle with cancer. A community leader and supporter of civic good her entire life, Gay led every organization to which she leant her considerable talents; chairing most, contributing her ideas, expertise and devotion to them all. Gay served consecutively on all three Boards of her beloved Alton Memorial Hospital (Board of Directors, Foundation Board, and White Cross Auxiliary Board). Her ability at creative fund-raising is legend. Equally important to Gay was her dedication to the Episcopal Parish of Alton where she served multiple terms on the Vestry, chaired every imaginable committee, was a constant presence in the kitchen, and directed the church school and youth group for 25+ years. Her involvement with Episcopal Youth at the local level soon drew her into state and national Episcopal Youth Event planning. There are literally hundreds of adults who will remember today Gay's steady, firm, fun-loving direction of them when they were teens at these youth events. Gay was never a member of a group "in name only". To the varied and many organizations to which she belonged, she contributed her experience and knowledge, served in many positions of leadership, and was awarded every conceivable award: Alton Children's Theater, Junior League of Greater Alton, Alton Women's Home, Alton Marketplace, Riverbend Headstart and Family Services, Alton Community Service League begin a list. Named a Woman of Distinction by the Alton YWCA, Gay was also tapped by the St. Louis area as a Woman of Achievement, in part for her careful administration of the Episcopal Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief monies earmarked for our area after the great flood of 1993. Surpassing all these achievements, however, was Gay's love of her family and her devotion to friends. Her beloved husband Bill of 50+ years and son John both predeceased her. Daughter Meg Johnson and her partner Scott Dorris and grandsons Will and Bryant Johnson remained the primary focus of her life. Gay was an only child with little family; early in her life she learned to take beloved friends into her heart as if they were family. And there they remained. Born in Miami, Oklahoma, on November 26, 1939, to Frank and Gladys Pauly, she was educated in the public schools in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, following her family's move there. Gay continued her formal education at Lindenwood College in St. Louis, graduating in 1962. She worked as Director of Programming for KMOX Radio after graduation. Following her marriage and her move to Alton with Bill, however, Gay devoted her life to her family, her friends, and the many organizations she served. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at Gent Funeral Home and again Saturday, July 30, 2016 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 10 East Third St., from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made in Gay's memory to Alton Memorial Hospital Foundation, Riverbend Headstart, Family Services, or the Episcopal Parish of Alton. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Frances Gay Bryant

November 26, 1939 - July 24, 2016