Edwin Ray Bryan Jr.

Edwin Ray Bryan Jr. 12/26/1953 – 04/25/2025 Winnsboro, La

Eddie Ray of Winnsboro, La passed away peacefully from this life on April 25th, 2025, at the age of 71. Eddie Ray was born on December 26th, 1953 to the union of Ray and Mary Pat (Ross) Bryan. He graduated from Ogden High School before going on to pursue his major in Education with minors in Physical Education, Drivers Education, Social Studies, and Law Enforcement.

Eddie Ray lived his entire life in Franklin Parish. He married the love of his life and best friend, Michelle Barton on February 18, 2000. Eddie Ray was well accomplished in his careers, starting as a respected educator, where he went on to serve the Franklin Parish School Board for 20 years, completing his final term as President, serving as a Deputy under the Franklin Parish Sheriffs Office, and most importantly a lifelong farmer and rancher on Bryans’ Circle K. Eddie Ray was an active member of Boeuf Prairie Methodist Church where he served as a chairman of various committees. Despite all his career achievements Eddie Ray was most proud of the large family that he built and was dedicated to being a great role model for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Eddie Ray enjoyed spending time with his wife and family at home around the dinner table, on the farm checking his cows, and at the Sale Barn on Wednesdays. Eddie Ray also enjoyed taking great care of his Parents and Aunt. He was a devoted Christian and family man with a great sense of humor, known as the glue to his family. Eddie Ray will be remembered as a loving Husband, Father, Papa, and Friend.

Eddie Ray is preceded in death by his Father, Edwin Ray Bryan, Sr.; Mother in Law, Janet Barton; Daughter, Andrea Bass; and Nephew, CWO-II Bryan James Henderson.

He is survived by his loving Wife of 25 years, Michelle (Barton); 4 Children, Dyanna (Charlie) Smart, Al (Krystal) Bryan, Suzanne (Corey) Kenney, and Matt (Regina) Bass; Mother, Mary Pat Bryan; 11 Grandchildren, Jesse (Erin) O’Neal, K-Raye (Jason) Delgado, Dyllen (Ruby) Bryan, Daegan Bryan, Alivia Bryan, Zaylee Gwin, McKrae Brown, Alarie Kenney, Kelci Schenk, Linda Campbell, Tripp Campbell; 5 Great Grandchildren, Blakelynn O’Neal, Denver O’Neal, Baby O’Neal, Trace Delgado, Caralynn Bryan; Special Aunt, Shirley “Tom” Mondello; and Special Friend, Jason Bonner.

Funeral services celebrating his life and legacy will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Boeuf Prairie Methodist Church, 4590 Highway 135, Fort Necessity, LA. Rev. Bobby Ensminger will officiate. Interment will follow in the Boeuf Prairie Methodist Church Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Winnsboro, LA.

The family will receive friends for visitation and remembrances from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Sunday, April 27, 2025, also at Boeuf Prairie Methodist Church.

Pallbearers will be Al Bryan, David Guimbellot, Todd Guimbellot, John Anthony Guimbellot, Jason Bonner, and James Moore. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mack Shelton, Paul Dale Turnage, J.H. Colvin Jr, and John Gullatt.

Memorials may be made to the Bryan Henderson Memorial Scholarship or St. Jude’s’s Hospital