Oma Bryan

Oma L. J. Bryan (Morris), 82, passed away on October 8, 2023, at 10:12 PM after 16 days in the hospital and hospice care. Oma, or Jan as she preferred, was admitted to The Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX where the cancer diagnosis was told to the family. The colon cancer had spread to the liver and lungs which then caused other abdominal issues to occur including excess fluid swelling around the stomach area.

Jan was born on February 26, 1941, on the family farm west of Independence, Kansas, the daughter of James Morris and Eva Belle (Haines) Morris. Jan graduated from Independence High School in the Class of 1959. Following graduation, she attended classes at the local community college, but stopped attending to begin a job as a factory inspector. Jan worked at Lee in Cherryvale, ACC in Independence, and Emerson in Independence as an inspector. Later, Jan began working as a food service worker (lunch lady) at Independence High School and occasionally at the Independence Junior High School.

Jan married Sherwood LeRoy Bryan on June 16, 1963, and lived in Independence, KS. Jan and Sherwood were blessed with a son in September of 1967 which is their only child. In 1982, Jan and her family moved to the state of Texas, and she continued in food service at local schools where the family lived. The family lived in Clute, TX, Lubbock, TX, and Grapevine, TX. Around 1996 Jan and Sherwood moved to Eagle Rock, MO to live in the house they built together near Table Rock Lake and Roaring River State Park. Upon retirement from school food service, Jan and Sherwood moved to Grove, OK for a short time and then back to Independence, KS to be closer to the Morris family. In 2016, Jan and Sherwood moved to Houston, TX to be closer to their grandson.

Jan’s main hobby was sewing. She made several shirts for her son’s 4H square dancing and numerous other sewing projects. Jan was a wonderful cook. Her brothers often were heard commenting on how Jan’s cooking was just like their mother’s cooking, and then would be seen cleaning their plates and asking for more.

 While living in Independence, Jan drove the coolest sounding Winnebago camper around town because it had glass pack mufflers. After the passing of her husband, Jan loved spending time with her son and grandson in all his activities that he did. Jan is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers.

 Surviving is her son Chadrick Morris Bryan and his wife Dianna of Houston, TX, one grandchild Luke Bryan of Houston, TX, sister Nadine Farlow of Independence, KS, sister Mina Watts of Independence, KS, brother Bill Morris of Independence, KS and numerous nieces and nephews of the Morris family.

Jan was known as Sis in the Morris family being the youngest sister of 6 children. She was known as Jan by most of her coworkers. Then became known as Oma, German for grandma, by her grandson which is also her first name.

 Per request and desire of Jan/Sis/Oma, only a graveside memorial will be held in the afternoon at 2:30 PM Friday, October 13th , 2023, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS.

A time of remembrance will be held following the graveside memorial starting at approximately 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Friday October 13th, 2023, at Big Cheese Pizza in the party room at 103 E Main Street in Independence, KS. Order and pay individually.