Mac Lamar "M.L." Bryant

1920 - 2014

OKOLONA – Mr. Mac Lamar ""M.L."" Bryant, 94, died Friday, November 21, 2014, at Sanctuary Hospice House following an extended illness. He was born May 31, 1920, in Pontotoc County to Fred C. Bryant and Lottie Duke Bryant. He attended Egypt High School before serving in New Guinea in the South Pacific for the U.S. Army during World War II. He farmed, owned and operated Okolona True Value Hardware Store for 15 years and worked there for 32 years.
M.L. was a devoted husband, and dearly loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He was an avid Ole Miss fan and loved all types of sports. He was active in various sports during his younger years. He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. After retirement he enjoyed meeting with his coffee drinking buddies every morning and watching the Game Show Network.
He was a member of Okolona First Baptist Church and attended Common Ground Church in Wren. He served on the Okolona Board of Alderman, served as Commander of the VFW and was a member of the American Legion, all in Okolona.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 23, 2014, in the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. David Pannell and John Clifton Pope officiating. Burial will follow in Boones Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from noon to service time only.
Survivors include his wife, Dessie Owen Bryant of Okolona; four sons: Marvin Lamar Bryant (Debby) of Okolona and Benton, Ky., Bobby Owen Bryant of Okolona, Donald Ray Bryant (Alice) of Tupelo, and Gene Allen Bryant of Meridian; one daughter, Dessie Marie Pope (Charles Clifton) of Kosciusko; grandchildren, Dr. Marvin Lamar Bryant Jr., Bradley Wade Bryant (Cindy), Marilee Forrest, Noah Morgan, Clifton Pope (Jennifer), Christopher Pope (Heather), Jennifer Joy (Aaron), Cathryn Johnson (Chris), Twyla Bryant, Scott Bryant (Brandy), Julie Word (Trey), Sherry McDowell (Brian), Sandy Burcham (Danny), Cade Bryant, Mary Margaret Kovac (Steve), Kerbie Looney (Ryan) and Courtney Reed; 33 great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a host of other dear relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dennis Michael ""Mickey"" Bryant; brother, Richard E. ""Red"" Bryant; two sisters, May Sullivan and Mabelene Sullivan.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Lamar, Brad, Clifton, Christopher, Cade, Scott, Ryan, Steve and Chris.
Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.