Obituary of Donna Bryson

DONNA JEAN BRYSON Donna Jean Bryson, 88, of Centralia Missouri passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the Stuart House in Centralia Missouri. She was born on July 19, 1935, in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of the late Otis and Sadie Robertson McDonald. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two daughters, Jerri Johnson and her husband Garry of Columbia, MO and Marsha Stout and her husband Rick of Sturgeon, MO and her son, Darren Bryson of Centralia, MO, five grandchildren, Jacob and his wife Jessica, Lacey and her husband Brad, Logan, Chelsea and fiancée Lucas, and Caleb. Ten great grandchildren, Haleigh, Gabby, Michael, Caleb, Layla, Sophie, Zoe, Bodie, Joaquin, and Clover. Several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Kelly Eugene Bybee, her granddaughter, Jessica Gerken, and one brother, Duane McDonald. Donna was a spunky little lady that not only loved her family immensely, but everyone she met. Throughout her life she sold Stanley products, worked at Bryson Repair, several restaurants, and even bartended–although she never drank. Later, she worked at 3M where she retired early because she refused to continue working on Sabbath after rediscovering her love for Jesus and rejoining the Sunnydale Seventh-day Adventist church. She retired again from the Centralia Country Club when she was 80. Always a servant at heart, she ironed for several family and friends until two weeks before going to the Stuart House in 2021. Donna would help anyone who asked her–whether that be getting up at five in the morning to go pick up someone and take them to work or doing whatever anyone needed. If you asked her, if it was at all possible, she would help you. But most of all, she shared the love of Jesus with everyone she met. She lived a full life loving others. She passed away on Valentine’s Day with both her immediate family and her Stuart House family by her side. Upon hearing of her passing a dear friend remarked, “she passed on an appropriate day, as everyone loved her.” A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Sunnydale Seventh-day Adventist Church near Centralia, Missouri at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sunnydale Church building fund c/o of Oliver Funeral Home. PO Box 125, Centralia, MO 65240. Condolences may be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net.