STELLA MAE BRYANT, age 96, a resident of Charleston, died Friday, March 22, 2013 at the Charleston Manor.

She was born July 12, 1916 in Diehlstadt to the late Arthur and Lular Cowell Clayton and lived in Southeast Missouri her entire life. She graduated from Diehlstadt High School where she was a member of the Girls Basketball Team. A member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, she served in various capacities including Sunday School teacher, Primary Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Ministries Leader, and choir member. She was employed as a secretary for Missouri Illinois Tractor (MIT) in Charleston and then in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1981.

In 1933 she married Paul E. Bryant who preceded her in death on December 9, 1958.

Surviving are one daughter, Paula Harper of Sikeston; eight grandchildren, Byron Lee "Buddy" Reeves Jr., Melody Rae Smith, Jeffory Alan Reeves, Paul Lee Szabo, Doug Allen Szabo, Audrey Ellen O'Malley, Kimberly Renae Brubaker, and Donald Howard Harper Jr.; 9 great grandchildren and 4 great- great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Shirley Jo Reeves, and Barbara Szabo, one brother, Marshall "Jack" Clayton; five sisters, Ruth Hargan, Beatrice Leible, Mary Sullivan, Clara Spaulding, and Margariet Ellen Clayton.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Charleston with Rev. Michael Brewer, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to:

First Baptist Church, 301 S. Main Street, Charleston, MO 63834

or

Crown Hospice, 1353 N. Mt. Auburn, Suite C, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.