Mary Nelle Bryant's Obituary
Mary Nelle Bryant of Garland, Texas passed away on March 26, 2016 at the age of 97. She was born Mary Nelle Bachman, the fourth child of Clarence Arthur and Auri Elsie Bachman, pioneers in the Garland/Sache/Dallas area. For the past several years she was affected with Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Nelle was known for her quick wit, her unflappable personality, her curly auburn-red hair, and her artistic handiwork. She was a graduate of Garland High School. She and Russell Monroe Bryant married before World War II, and shortly after, he went to serve in General Patton’s armored tank division in Germany. The couple met as teenagers while both were working at Resistol Hat Company. She sewed the leather bands on the hats, and he applied lacquer to the straw hats. They continued their careers in the hat manufacturing business in Garland, Corsicana, Laredo and St. Joseph, Missouri. Mary Nelle and Russell had no children. Russell preceded Mary Nelle in death. He also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally preceding her in death were sisters, Doris Ethel Durloo, Della May Hamlin, and brother Vesper Jehu Bachman. Mary Nelle is survived by two sisters: Kibby Iona O’Brian of Texarkana and Elsie Marie Payne of Garland; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Graveside services will be held at Restland Cemetery at 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243 on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Viewing is also at the gravesite 30 minutes prior to the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Dallas Chapter, 3001Knox Street, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75205.
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