Verbie Bryan

Mary Verbie Bryan, 100, died at Conroe, Texas on May 23, 2016. Verbie was the last surviving sibling of seven children born to Verner and Jim Young. She was born on her parents' cotton farm on February 20, 1916 at Estes Mill, Mississippi. She married A.V. Bryan on May 4, 1941 in Yuma, Arizona. They lived in San Diego and New Orleans before settling in Port Neches in 1945. Verbie received a bachelor's degree in education from Mississippi Southern University in Hattiesburg, MS, and from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, and a master's degree from McNeese University in Lake Charles, LA. She taught sixth grade in Groves, TX, until she retired at age sixty-five. Verbie was a member of The First Baptist Church at Port Neches where she taught the adult women's Sunday School Class and served as president of the Super Sixties Club. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She will be remembered for her colorful stories of growing up on a cotton farm in rural Mississippi, her endearing love for her grandchildren, and her passion for teaching and reading. Verbie is survived by her three sons, James (Linda) of Spring, Jerry of Conroe, Bob (Norma) of Port Arthur, and daughter, Rita (John Lindell) of Park City, Utah. Verbie has six grandchildren, Jarrett Bryan of Honolulu, Hawaii, Paige Rawson and Alex Lindell of Park City, Utah, Faith Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia, Jason Bryan of Spring, and Chad Bryan of Port Arthur, two step-grandchildren, Kevin and Chris Smith, seven great-grandchildren, Aiden and Evan Rawson, Charlotte and Isabelle Taylor, Zoe and Jack Bryan, and Betty Lindell, and four step-great-grandchildren, Cade, Carter, and Cameron Smith, and Gigi Lindell. Verbie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, A.V. Bryan, her parents, brothers Lynn, Bruce, and Jim Ross, and sisters Evon, Mildred, and Grace. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26, at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Port Neches on Friday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. and interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.