Abba Lee French Bryant, of Houston, TX, quietly passed away Thursday, February 16, 2012 of natural causes. She was born in Tulia, Texas, November 26, 1918. After she graduated from Business College in Oklahoma City in 1937 she worked as a private secretary to the State Land Commission Secretary. On June 4, 1939 Abba Lee married Paul Dean Bryant of Yukon, Oklahoma in Elida, New Mexico. They had two sons, Paul French Bryant and Philip Marshall Bryant. Abba Lee was widowed in 1948.

Working to support her two sons eventually brought her to Tucson, where she worked for Ronstadt Hardware Company in July of 1952. In 1960, she was hired as the General Manager of the Tucson Teachers Federal Credit Union, retiring from there in 1985. She served as a volunteer curator of Roses at the Tucson Botanical Gardens during her retirement, as roses were her passion. Her main effort in life was to provide an opportunity for her two sons to be successful in life. Both sons graduated from the University of Arizona and had families of their own which was a source of pride and reward for her. A major heartache for Abba Lee was the untimely death of her husband in 1948 and then her first son, Paul French Bryant in 1981.

She is survived by her son, Philip Marshall Bryant, born June 10, 1941 and wife Linda Weathers Bryant of Houston, TX, Daughter in law, Barbara Ingraham Bryant of Flagstaff, AZ, and 5 granchildren; Paul Dean Bryant (Megan) of Vancouver BC, Janet Bryant Morrow (Jay) of Scottsdale, AZ, Brenda Leigh Bryant of San Francisco, CA, Blaine Marshall Bryant (Rosana) of Houston, TX, and Wendy Bryant Saltz (Sam) of Fort Collins, CO. and 9 great-grandchildren Ian Phongsrisai of San Francisco, CA, Bryant, Jason and Emily Morrow of Scottsdale, AZ, Jacob, Lyndsey and Christian Saltz of Fort Collins, CO, Ari and Aidan Bryant of Houston, TX and Addison and Gray Bryant of Vancouver, BC., and Great-great-grandson, Eli Phongsrisai of San Francisco, CA, Niece Cindy Wall, Houston, TX and Nephews Bill Gunn, Austin, TX, Abb Gunn, Alpharetta, GA, Micheal Wall, Houston, TX.

She was also predeceased by her parents, Abb L French and Letha M French of Elida, New Mexico, son Paul French Bryant of Scottsdale, AZ, sisters, Anita Gunn, of Austin, TX, and Joan Wall of Houston, TX.

Abba Lee wished for cremation and no memorial service. The immediate family will gather at an appropriate time and place to honor the life and time of Abba Lee. Her final direction was: “Remember me as happy with a positive attitude loving God, family and friends or do not remember me at all.” She was a loving mother, friend, and provider to her family.

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