Mildred Bryan

Mildred Cleo Bryan
March 23, 1917 - January 22, 2018

Mildred (Millie) Cleo Bryan, 100, of Independence, Kansas passed away January 22, 2018 at the Labette Health Independence Health Care Center. Funeral services for Mildred will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 29 at the Grace Memorial United Methodist Church in Independence. Visitation hours are 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, at the Webb & Rodrick Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Grace Memorial United Methodist Church and may be left with the Chapel.

Millie was born March 23, 1917 in Longton, Kansas as the fifth of eleven children to Sam and Jessie (Draper) Barnaby. She graduated from Longton High School in 1935. Millie moved to Independence in 1936 where she met James (Jimmie) Franklin Bryan while he was driving a Dr. Pepper truck. They started their courtship a year later. They were married in Kingman, Arizona on June 6, 1939 and settled in Oatman, Arizona where their first son, James, was born.

In 1942, the couple returned to Independence. Two years later Jimmie was drafted into the U.S. Army. While Jimmie was serving his country, Millie managed the home front. After completion of his service, the couple purchased a farm outside Independence during which time their daughter Connie was born. In 1956, they moved back to Independence where their son, Kim, was born. Millie kept busy caring for her family and providing childcare services out of the home. Determined to forge her own career, Millie enrolled in Independence Beauty College in 1964 and graduated in 1965. That same year she opened her own business, "Millie's Beauty Salon".

Her husband, Jimmie, passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2006. Millie remained in her south Sixth Street home until 2014, when she moved into the Penn Terrace Apartments.

Millie was renowned for her cinnamon rolls among family, friends and the community. She was also a well known and respected business woman through her beauty salon for many years. Her life was enriched through her service to her church and community, and her family, which had grown to three children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday in March of 2017. At the time, Milie attributed her long life to keeping her brain active, eating three balanced meals each day and walking 1-2 miles a day, even at age 95.

Preceding Millie in death were her parents, brothers, sisters and her spouse.

She is survived by her sons Jim Bryan, Jefferson City, MO and Kim Bryan (spouse Stephanie), Broken Arrow, OK; daughter Connie Stewart (spouse Frank), West Linn, OR; foster child, Darrell Boulanger, Boulanger, OK; nine grandchildren (Darrin Bryan, Virginia Beach, VA; Eric and Corey Bryan of Jefferson City, MO; Brian Stewart and Christa (Stewart) Varela of West Linn, OR; Brandon Stewart, Oregon City, OR; Brent Stewart, Canby, OR; Matt and Jordan Bryan, Broken Arrow, OK); and nine great-grandchildren (Parker, Nicole, Lauren, Dylan, Reese, Colten, Carter, Carson and Daxton).

To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com.

Arrangements by Webb & Rodrick Chapel

Visitation

Webb & Rodrick Chapel
306 W. Main
Independence, KS  67301
Sunday, January 28, 2018
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Service

Memorial Service

Grace Memorial United Methodist Church
109 S. 13th
Independence, KS  67301
Monday, January 29, 2018
1:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
Independence, KS  67301

Memorial Contributions

Grace Memorial United Methodist Church
109 S. 13th
Independence, KS  67301