Betsy Louise Bryant || Obituary

Betsy Louise Bryant, 74 of Paris, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2025.

For years, we have been grieving the loss of our family’s matriarch due to this wretched disease that is Alzheimer’s. If you knew Betsy Bryant in her prime, I guarantee she was one of the strongest women you’ve ever known. Our Mom and Nana was fierce and protective at her core. She was always a force to reckon with. She was a giver, a helper, a problem solver. She never wanted to see others without. She would give until she had nothing left, if that’s what it would take. Those that knew her have memories of times that she went out of her way to help others, whether it was her family, friends, neighbors, or strangers. She was selfless.

As her condition progressed, she wasn’t the woman we knew anymore. She morphed into a new Betsy with an ever-changing personality. She was sometimes difficult, sometimes scared or sad. Her sense of humor faded, and she found less to laugh about. But the parts of her that made her who she was, were still there if you were paying attention. She was as sassy as ever. Classic country music, the birthday song, and Jesus Loves Me could get her singing and dancing. Babies made her smile from ear to ear. She loved her some ice cream and sweet tea. She still wanted to share what she had with others. She wanted to hold hands and be close to the people she loved. Her entire beautiful face would light up when you called her beautiful or told her that you loved her.

Even when you couldn’t understand her, you could tell she was a busy woman. In her mind, she was still managing family matters, Planning family reunions, birthday parties, and baby showers. She was bossing her siblings, yelling at Jack, talking to and counting her kids and grandkids. She was even killing those booger bugs she saw sneaking up on her. Awake or asleep, you could catch glimpses of what was going on in her noggin if you listened. She was still living an exciting life in there.

In the final stages, her strength was remarkable. She fought so hard to stay with us for as long as she possibly could, keeping us and the nurses in awe. That’s no exaggeration. She was going to leave when she was good and ready, and that heart of hers was determined. Her heart was the last piece of her that Alzheimer’s could take, but she really held on for us. She felt the love of her family until her last breath, her last heartbeat. She passed peacefully in the night with family by her side. It’s the way she would have wanted to go. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Betsy Louise Bryant was born on July 10, 1951, in Quanah, Texas. Betsy married Jack Bryant on August 21st, 1971, in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Betsy and Jack moved to Paris, Texas in 1973 where they raised their children.  Betsy worked as a clerk in the District Clerks office before she retired. She was a member of East Paris Baptist Church.  She loved volunteering her time to help others.  Betsy is survived by her husband, Jack Bryant; children, Kelly Bryant of McKinney, Texas, Lonnie and Yolanda Lasenbby of Paris, Texas, Jackie and Stephanie Bryant of McKinney, Texas, Terry Bryant and Robert Talley of Paris, Texas, and Kevyn and Niels Borgen of Paris, Texas; grandchildren, Konnor Bryant, Jessica Pruiett, Alex McMikel, Isaac Lasenbby, Karson Bryant, Kolby Bryant, Kerrigan Carroll, Haley Brasher, Anne Borgen and Martin Borgen; great grandchildren, Brayden Pruiett, Lily Pruiett, Ember Pruiett, Aaric Pruiett, Rory McMikel and Maven McMikel; plus loads more family that she loved and loved her.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Lunsford, her father, William Jack Cavet, her daddy, Don Lunsford, her brother, Billy Jack Cavet, her sister, Linda Dewbre, her brother, Rusty Lunsford and her grandsons, Hunter Brasher and Devin Lasenbby.  In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to North Lamar Band Boosters, North Lamar Soccer Association, Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A visitation with friends and family will be held at Fry Gibbs Funeral Home on Monday, January 13th beginning at 1:00 PM. Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 PM at Fry-Gibbs Rev. Tony Vanderwilt officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the Bryant family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com