Linda Faye Bryant

My Last Good-bye

Hello there and welcome to the story of my life. My name is Linda Faye Bryant, I was born on August 1, 1950 to a wonderful young couple Dorothy and R L Ridenhour. My father passed away when I was very young so I was raised by my mother and step-father, Jack Coon. I have many sisters, they made growing up an adventure. From jumping off of the garage to building fires INSIDE and even crashing into laundromats!! We made some of my most precious memories. Judy Chadd, Pat Taylor (Ed), Cathy Cross, Pam Holiday & Nancy Sanders (Kenny), are my beloved sisters , thank you for all the sisterly love and sister days. I married in August of 1972 to the late James D Bryant and became a mom for the first time to his daughter Sherry Whitmer. Together we had 2 children Melynda (Missy) Bryant-(Tres my future son-in law according to me anyways) and Jessie Bryant (wife Amanda) of whom still reside in Indiana despite being raised in the beautiful mountains of Arkansas. I worked very hard through my years. Manual labor is something I would never shy away from. We taught our children the value of working for what you want. I am very proud of the strong independent people they have grown to be. Missy may be a little too independent….if you know her, you know

I lost my husband in July 2006. This was a scary and uncertain time as I closed that chapter of my life. However, I then began a beautiful, wonderful, adventurous next chapter. My youngest granddaughter was born in Dec 2006, Faith Bryant, grandchild # 4; Joining David Pettery, Terranie Foulk (Patrick) and Terry Dale Whitmer. I spent the next 19 years traveling to TN, MI, AL, FL and all up the east coast. Girls trips with my best friends Julia and Cheryl, putting the top down on a convertible and being the “cool grannies” My beloved Jeannie whom I had the greatest time in Indianapolis and anywhere else we could imagine at all hours talking the full night through. I shared my darkest secrets with her. Though not blood, she is my sister. Trips with Missy and Faith where I fell in love with MI and TN, got scared sh**less in Chicago!! Missy can tell you about that one. Road trips to AL with my sister, niece and great nieces. Teaching Kinsley and Olivia how to be as mischievous as me (you’re welcome Dez)

I cannot thank all of you enough for this wonderful second half of my life. Please do not grieve for me, travel, take chances, plant flowers and watch them grow, eat marshmallows, have a large glass of iced tea for me. Live life to the fullest and leave nothing unsaid.

Linda was laid to rest at Highland Cemetery next to her husband.