Lilly Exum Bryant

Lilly Exum Bryant, 78, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was taken by God on December 31, 2006, to join our angel, Ellen Melissa, her daughter, who preceded her in death on January 14, 2000. Lilly was the beloved wife of Bill Bryant of Gulfport, Mississippi. Lilly taught 18 years of 8th grade earth science at Bayou View Junior High until she retired to spend more time with her family and grandchildren. She is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Bill Bryant; her daughter, Sue Esther Dulin, and husband, Tommy, of Gulfport; her son, William Rae Bryant, of Gulfport; her daughter, Lea Travis, and husband, Kearn, of Hattiesburg; four grandchildren, Christina Bryant and Bill Bryant, II, of Gulfport; William Travis and Leah Travis of Hattiesburg; and sisters, Lena Exum and Mary Ellen Barton of Vaughan, Mississippi, and Sue Virginia Dickinson of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Special thanks to Jimmie L. Crawford and Barbara A. McLemore, her extraordinary caregivers, and Odyssey Hospice. Your care and concern were a comfort to all throughout her illness. Private services were conducted at Floral Hills Cemetery on January 2, 2007, by our dear friend, Reverend Rachel Benefield. Condolences and contributions in memoriam to the Westminister Academy Endowment Fund may be mailed care of Post Office Box 820, Gulfport, Mississippi 39502. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, was in charge of arrangements.