Arthur Ray Bryant

Arthur "Ray" Bryant, 71, of Hannibal, Mo. passed away at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2015, at the Monroe City Manor Care Center. A Memorial Service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel, in Hannibal. Pastor Tom Day will officiate. A Memorial Visitation in honor of Mr. Bryant will be held 6:00 p.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Mr. Bryant was born January 26, 1944, in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. the son of Howard and Mildred (Mayabb) Bryant. Ray married Brenda Henley on January 26, 1973, at a candlelight ceremony at the First United Methodist Church in Chaffee, Mo. Survivors include his wife of 42 years Brenda Bryant of the home; one son, William Ray "Bill" Bryant of Hannibal, Mo.; two daughters, Tracie Bryant of O'Fallon, Mo. and Michele Bryant of Hannibal, Mo.; one step-son, James Foster of Scott City, Mo.; one sister, Shirley Siars of Gerald, Mo.; five grandchildren, Sarah Bryant, Stephen Bryant, Abigail Bryant, Madisyn Bryant and Tanner Hughson; one great grandson, Tristan Tippen; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by one brother, Gene Taylor. Mr. Bryant graduated from East Prairie High School in 1963. Ray worked as a conductor for the Cotton Belt Southern Pacific Railroad for 24 ½ years until he retired due to health reasons. Ray was a former member of the Elks Lodge #1810 in Chaffee, Mo. He was very active in the Hannibal Regional Hospital Auxiliary where he was the co-chairman of the Friday night Bingo held at the American Legion and on April 19, 2010, Ray was awarded a lifetime membership. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking but his strong passion was his love of listening to music and clearing the dance floor to dance with his wife Brenda. Mr. Bryant was a Baptist by faith. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Ray's family, in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Online condolences may be shared with Ray's family and video tribute viewed on his memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com