Pamela Marie Edmunds Bryant

AVON PARK - The loving wife of Richard A. Bryant, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at her home in Avon Park. She was born in Oceanside, N.Y. on Dec. 6, 1962, and moved to Florida at an early age. Pam was a graduate of Piper High School in Sunrise, FL, Indian River Community College and Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Elementary Education. After teaching in St.Lucie County schools, Pam moved to Highlands County, where she was a teacher at Avon Park Middle School at the time of her death. Pam was a natural teacher, with a passion and a gift for encouraging her students and making each one feel special. She kept up with her students years after they left her classroom and went out of her way to support them in important events in their lives. After the death of her parents, Pam assumed responsibility for her younger siblings. Later, she would provide a home and loving guidance to other young family members. Her warm heart, caring nature and delightful personality were her greatest gifts. With her quick smile, hearty laugh, and compassion for others, Pam was so easy to know and fun to be with. Pam was the wife and number one fan of Major Rick Bryant, of the Avon Park Correctional Institution, where they resided. Upon moving to the facility grounds, Pam quickly became a favorite of the facility staff through the sharing of her other gift, that of cooking great meals and desserts. Pam loved our Lord dearly and was a member of Grace Bible Church in Sebring, where she experienced Christ's love through a caring church family. Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Richard J. Edmunds and Geraldine V. Francis Edmunds; and her brother, George Michael Tures. She is survived by her husband, Rick Bryant; sons, Glen Charles Poole, Jr. (Lauren), Logan Richard Poole, both of Port St, Lucie, and Joel Bryant Griffin, of Oroville, Calif.; brothers, Jeff Edmunds (Jennifer) of Land 'O Lakes, and Ryan Edmunds (Lauren) of Plantation; sister, Cynthia Edmunds of Boynton Beach; her nieces and nephews Samantha Scola and Brittney Scola of Port Saint Lucie, Mackenzie Edmunds of Tampa, and Patrick and Charlotte Edmunds of Plantation, Florida, other family and a great group of close friends from high school affectionately called "The Sunrise Girls." A celebration of her life were held at the Grace Bible Church, 4541 Thunderbird Road, Sebring, FL on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m. There was not a burial service. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Pam's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in memory of Pam Edmunds Bryant. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at www.stephensonnelsonfh.com