Patricia Spargo Bryan

Patricia Spargo Bryan

December 14, 1928 - June 4, 2015

Apex

Patricia "Button" Bryan passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at Transitions Hospice Home in Raleigh. An only child, Patricia was born to George Edward Spargo and Ruth Edmondson Spargo in Albany, NY. She was raised in Albany and then Forest Hills, NY, but her fondest memories were of the summers she spent in Rhode Island with her paternal grandmother, Mary Milne Spargo. Patricia attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia, and received a BA in Religion and Philosophy with a minor in Art. It was there she was given the nickname "Button" when someone told her she was "as cute as a Button!" Button married Thomas Roth Bryan of Elkin, NC in March of 1951. They were blessed with three children, all of whom survive: Patty Brown (Ron), Anne Bryan (Joseph Murray) and Tom Bryan (Kathy). Button's life centered around her children, her church and community, and her work as head librarian at Elkin Public Library. She particularly enjoyed doing storyhour with young children, and she never outgrew her love of books. She liked to recount that on her first day of retirement, she spent an entire day at a bookstore! Button loved music, traveling, and reading the New York Times. She appreciated her many blessings and told us often that she had had a very good life. Button's grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great joy to her. She leaves to cherish her memory the following grandchildren: Anna Stein (Josh), Laura Brown (Greg Childs), Sara Gardner (Brady), Chris Bryan (Nancy), and David Bryan. In her later years, nothing gave her more pleasure than visiting with her great- grandchildren: Sam, Adam and Leah Stein, Carolina and Mila Childs, Emery and Cora Bryan, and twins Katie and Ella Gardner. Button was blessed with strong church ties; Elkin First United Methodist Church was her church home for almost 60 years. There she was involved in all aspects of church life from singing in the choir, participating in numerous study groups, and working with the youth. During her last three years, she worshipped at Apex United Methodist Church. She flourished in her home at Cambridge Village of Apex, and leaves many wonderful friends there and in her hometown of Elkin. The family is grateful for the excellent care she received over the last few years and would like to thank Drs. Making Housecalls and Rex Hematology and Oncology who worked with her to achieve a good quality of life, even after battling breast cancer for about 20 years. We would also like to express our appreciation for the wonderful people at Transitions Hospice Care who helped to make her transition a peaceful one. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 6 at Elkin First United Methodist Church and at a later date at Cambridge Village of Apex. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to one of the following: Elkin First United Methodist Church, Apex United Methodist Church, Transition LifeCare, or the Elkin Public Library.