Traverse City, Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY — On Oct. 24, 2009, Judy Kay Bryant passed away suddenly at the age of 65.
Born in Boyne City in 1944 to Revilo and Phyllis Gerrie, she became a resident of Traverse City in the early 1990s.
An artist, school teacher and most recently a certified gemologist, Judy was also a gifted jewelry designer. She graduated from Boyne City High School in 1962, and began attending Kendall School of the Arts, from where she graduated with a degree in commercial art. In 1965, she married L. Robert Bryant and then moved to Walled Lake, where she earned her teaching degree. In 1979, the family moved north to Kalkaska and started Maple Dream Acres, a maple syrup farm.
After her husband, Bob, retired in the late 1980s, they moved to the Traverse City area, where she began a career in the jewelry industry. She began at R. L. Kemp Jewelers in sales, then working for Wilkerson's, where she directed the liquidation of jewelry stores all over the country. She was also very involved in Bay Pointe Community Church and her community, helping people of all walks of life continue their educations.
For 41 years she was the wife of L. Robert Bryant, who preceded her in death in 2006.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Judy was engaged and passionate in any endeavor life gave her.
Judy is survived by her two sons and their wives, Ian (Sheila) of Traverse City, Dane (Stacey) of Fairfield Glade, Tenn.; her five grandchildren, Haley, Reagan, Sydney, Benjamin and Bailey; sister-in-law, Judy Gerrie of Boyne City; sister, Valerie (Marty) Cotanche of Traverse City; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis; father, "Revo"; brother, Jack Gerrie; and Mom Lena.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday Oct. 28, with visitation one hour prior at Bay Pointe Community Church, 6880 Secor Rd., Traverse City, MI 48684.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to Cure PSP.org, Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.
The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
Ian and Sheila:
We just learned of your Mothers passing and are so sorry for your loss. We know what a huge part of your life she was a what a great impact she had on your entire family. We were lucky to have known her. Please give your girls a hug from us. Take care and we are keeping you in our prayers.
Beth and Craig Simmons
November 01, 2009 | Traverse City
We will keep you in our prayers. It is such a loss for all.
God Bless you and Keep you. Your mother is in a better place.
(Friend of Dane and Stacey)
Dick and Roni Klink
October 28, 2009 | Olmsted Township, OH
Dane and Stacey,
Our thoughts and prayers are for you as you go through this hard time of sorrow. May the memories of good times pull you through and the thoughts of peace sustain you.
Diane Denoyer
October 28, 2009 | Traverse City, MI
To have know Judy was to Love Judy. Never was there more of a dynamic person, who always rose to the occasion. My prayers are with all of you in your time of grief. Freind/ Nancy (Nurse) Patterson
Nancy Patterson
October 27, 2009 | Grawn, MI
Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time. We always loved running in to Judy & she always had a warm & welcome smile on her face. God's Blessings
Jen & Matt Ligon
October 27, 2009 | Traverse City, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Bob & Barb Herkner
October 27, 2009 | Englewood, FL
My sympathy to the whole family! Judy was a wonderful person and she will totally be missed! We loved her and the Primeau family was soooooo blessed to have known her!!!
David and Tonya Primeau
October 27, 2009 | Traverse City, MI
