Marilyn Bryant

Marilyn Amelia Holt Bryant, retired English teacher of Lindsay, Oklahoma, passed away on July 4, 2024, in Waterloo, Iowa, where she had resided since 2020.
Marilyn was born in Paris, Texas on August 17, 1928, to James A. and Clarice Tolbert Holt. Marilyn attended high school in Antlers, Oklahoma, went on to attend Oklahoma Baptist University, and ultimately earned her teaching degree from Southeastern State University in Durant. After graduation Marilyn taught in El Reno for two years.
On July 9, 1950, Marilyn married Leonard A. Bryant of Antlers. For the next few years the couple lived in Oklahoma City, where they started a family. The family then moved to Wichita, Kansas for a few years. In 1957, the family moved to Lindsay, where Leonard had acquired a Western Auto store.
Marilyn was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Lindsay and served as its pianist for more than 40 years. After raising a family of four children, she returned to teaching junior high English in the Lindsay school system. Marilyn and Leonard were married for over 50 years before his passing in 2001. Through 2014, she enjoyed living in Lindsay and being an active member of her church, where she had many cherished friends for many years. For health reasons, Marilyn lived the last several years near her children, first in Edmond and then in Waterloo.
Music, especially piano, was the love of Marilyn's life. She and Leonard also enjoyed vacationing on the Gulf Coast, and occasionally traveling to exotic destinations. Marilyn also had deep affection for her former students, whose successful lives brought her great joy.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, James A. and Clarice Holt of Antlers, and by her loving husband Leonard. She is survived by her beloved brother James Allen (Phyllis) Holt of Silver Spring, Maryland, and by four children, including Gary (DiAnne) of Oklahoma City, Linda Wiles (Tom) of Waterloo, David (Janet) of Spring, Texas, and Bryan (Jonathyn) of Phoenix. Marilyn also leaves seven grandchildren, including Whitney Engstrom (Jeff) of Honolulu, Austin Booth of Boston, Melissa Johansen (Andy) of Deer Creek, John Len (Amy) Wiles of Waterloo, April Beth Pearce (Lyonel) of Charles City, Iowa, Alex (Katherine) Bryant of Seattle, and Grant Bryant of Houston; and six great grandchildren, including Emma and Carter Johansen, Ruthie and Thomas Wiles, and Andrew and Camille Bryant.
For the immediate family, services celebrating Marilyn's life, and a private internment under direction of Wilbourn Funeral Home, will occur in Antlers on July 10. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any donations be made to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, www.obhc.org.
Services are under the direction of Scott and Angel Wilbourn of Wilbourn Family Funeral Home in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Condolences may be made to the family at www.wilbournfamilyfuneralhome.com