The Bryan Family

We had to make an unexpected trip to Houston to say goodbye to Neale’s grandmother, “Mama Jean”.  Neale and I had all of our things packed and were all set to go on Saturday (May 15).  Right before we were about to head out the door, Ellie gets sick….  all over her uncle Derek.  We were hoping that she would feel better soon, so we decided to go ahead and leave.  As we were putting Ellie in her car seat, she gets sick again.  We decided that a 13 hour car ride with a sick toddler would not be fun, so Neale went on by himself to Houston.  By Sunday evening Ellie was feeling a lot better (No more running to get buckets).  We found an early flight Monday morning so that Ellie and I  would be able to attend the memorial service for Mama Jean.  Even though it was sad to say goodbye to her, we had a good time visiting with family, playing with baby Max (Neale finally got to meet his nephew), and sharing memories of sweet Mama Jean.

Our cute little nephew, Max Williams

The Bryan family (minus Marvin)

A tribute to Mama Jean, written by Neale’s father:

Thursday night Cheryl and I sat in my study at the church building talking to Ganelle and James (my sister and brother-in-law) on the speaker phone about the worsening condition of my mother’s dementia. It was becoming increasingly evident that she could not continue to live on her own. A variety of options were discussed, including having her come to Imperial and live with us.

Friday morning, about 8:30, James called to tell us that my precious, sweet little Mama had died peacefully in her sleep. It was like she was somehow aware of our concern for her and how to best care for her – so she took matters into her own hands. As usual, she had a better way. The steadfast faith that guided her life and molded her character has now been realized, and she is at home. Blessed are those who die in the Lord!

She and my Dad were childhood sweethearts. As second-graders in my grandmother’s classroom, he asked her to marry him – she said she would if he’d buy her a car! (Well, over the years, he bought her lots of cars.)

They were separated for over ten years because of their families’ moves to different parts of the state. Then as a sophomore at Texas A&M, Dad began looking for her, calling relatives he thought might know of her whereabouts. He found her, working for Western Auto in San Antonio; and so began the true romance of The Summer of 42. They were married on December 19, 1942.
Those were war years. In 1944, at the beginning of his senior year, Dad’s class at A&M was called up early for service. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and told to prepare for combat training and deployment.

I was born on December 9, 1944. Two weeks later Dad received orders sending him to New York for embarkation. A few days later my mother left a three-week-old infant with grandparents and took a train to New York to be with Dad before he was deployed. He shipped out for the war in Germany on Christmas Day, 1944.

I am one of the many fortunate war babies in that my Dad came home. He and Mom built a life and family (two sisters) together – a home and family that now flood my mind with the fondest of memories.

Dad died on June 3, 1984, while visiting us on the mission field in South Africa. His death was sudden and gut-wrenching. We were stunned and overwhelmed with grief. He was a good man, a devout servant of God, a loving husband and father. It took a long time to recover from his loss.

Mom – the word “gone” seems so unnatural because she’s always been “there.” Yet, reacting to the news of her death, I feel no great sorrow. Oh to be sure, I am writing these words through
tear-blurred eyes. I am sad. But I am also profoundly thankful. I am thankful I knew the woman named Jean Bryan. I’m thankful she was my mother. I’m thankful for all the good things that characterized her life. And I’m thankful her life ended swiftly and peacefully in the repose of sleep.

I love you, Mom, forever. Your Billy-boy.

Ellie meets her great-grandmother.  Eleanor Jean Bryan and Mama Jean  December 2008

Ellie with Mama Jean, December 2008

The Bryan family with Mama Jean December 2008

We arrived safely in St. Louis in the late afternoon on Wednesday the 12th.  We had an uneventful flight, and Ellie did great on all three flights.  This was the shortest trip we’ve ever made (around 23 hours total travel time).  We were greeted at the St. Louis airport by Dalissa’s dad and soon-to-be nephew Josh.   We arrived at Dalissa’s parent’s house to surprise her mom (who had no idea that we had come home) and saw one of Dalissa’s sisters and two nieces.  We took a video of our surprise homecoming, so hopefully we can get that up soon.

We had to quickly get ready to make it to Wednesday night Bible study that night.  Here are a few pictures of Ellie with her church friends, Anastyn (who shares the same birthday as Ellie), and Mya.

Ellie’s first baseball game at Busch Stadium.  We went just 24 hours after stepping off the airplane.  We were pretty tired, but had a great time!

Neale, Dalissa, and Ellie at the Bangkok airport.

Some of the members of the Somprasong Church of Christ came to the airport to see us off.  Back row: P’Petch (Neale’s student) , P’Rung, Neale, Dalissa, P’Sam  Front Row:  Lynne (Dalissa’s former student), Gratae (Dalissa’s former student), P’Eung, Nong, P’Neung, and Ellie.

It was sad to say goodbye to everyone, but we are looking forward to seeing our friends and family back in the States.

90 Seconds with Ellie - Episode 17

Our last little vacation in Thailand.  We drove over to Katchanaburi Thailand for the weekend. 

Eleanor Jean

90 Seconds with Ellie - Episode 16