Nelda Marie Smith Bryant
Ms. Nelda Marie Smith Bryant, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March, 21, 2023 peacefully in her sleep. She was born the third of eight children in Karnack, Texas to the union of I.T. and Callie Marie Norwood Smith. She graduated from Start High School in Rayville, Louisiana. After graduation, she met and married Larry with who she spent 59 wonderful years. Nelda worked for many years outside the home including running the Verda Grocery Store that she and her husband Larry purchased, for Grant Parish Meals on Wheels Program, and Jordache in Colfax, Louisiana.
Most of her life was spent in her greatest roles of wife, mother, and Nana. She enjoyed working in her church, in her community, checking on the sick and hurting, and talking on the phone, especially with her friends and sisters. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed her yard, gardening, and her home. Much of the results of her fruitful gardening were shared with others throughout the community as either raw vegetables or deliciously cooked meals as she was a wonderful cook! She had the unique ability to make anything grow in her yard, but her pride was her Amaryllis. She enjoyed sharing them with others, either in bulbs to plant, or a beautiful bouquet which she would hand deliver to your home.
Nelda was a faithful prayer warrior that met everyone with a big smile, kind word and generous welcoming spirit. She was a hard worker who believed in helping her family, friends and community- buzzing around like a busy bee and outworking most of those around her.
If you were blessed enough to grace her home, you would be met with either a hot cup of coffee on the porch, or at the family table with a generously shared meal. She is probably best known as the peanut butter cornflake cookie lady as this was the biggest request to her at any event she or anyone in her family attended. Ms. Nelda was a Godly, caring, nurturing mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, aunt and church member that will be greatly missed within her community. She will be remembered for her smile and happy presence, generous spirit, helping hand, hospitality and above all her love for the Lord as she has “fought the good fight, she has finished the race, and she has kept her faith”.
She is preceded in death by her parents, I.T. and Callie Norwood Smith; husband, Lloyd Larry Bryant; siblings, Houston Eugene Smith, Bobby Joe Smith, Suedell Anderson, and Frenche Smith; one grandson, Thomas Edward Evans, Jr.
Those left to love and cherish her precious memory are her daughter, Anita Chelette (Jason) of Montgomery, LA; sons, Larry Kelvin Bryant (Violet), Atlanta, LA, Lloyd Delane Bryant, Montgomery, LA; grandchildren, Haley Lionberger, Macy Lionberger, Kallie Swider, Christopher Bryant, Carrie Wiley, Jonathon Chelette, Jacob Chelette; sisters, Linda Blanton (Jimmy), Chireno, TX, Angie Thompson Smith, Nacogdoches, TX, Debra Sanford (Larry), Nacogdoches, TX; great grandchildren, Macey Evans, Kingsleigh Evans, Chandler McManus, Aurora Bryant, Evangeline Opal Bryant, Benjamin Wiley, Maddox Chelette, Mikah Chelette, Abigail Wiley, Lucas Wiley, Amelia Noland, soon to be Stetson Reign; sisterin- law, Janell Bryant Lemoine, Verda, LA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends at Hargis Baptist Church on Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 11:00AM until 2:00PM.
Funeral Services were held at the church at 2:00PM on Sunday. March 26, 2023 with Rev. Josh Sanford, Rev. Doug James, and Rev. Bruce Weatherford officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Homes, Winnfield.
Those honored to serve the family as pallbearers were Trey Anderson, Terry Anderson, Michael Sanford, Christopher Blanton, and Jody Bullock. Honorary Pallbearers were Ronnie Lasyone, Melvin Shaw, James Frantom, Jimmy Blanton, and Larry Sanford.
Friends may offer online condolences to the family at www.southernfuneralhome. com.