Laura Mildred Bryant

Laura Mildred Bryant, age 102, a resident of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away on October 8, 2025.

She was born in Bucanan County on July 31, 1923 to the late John Elisha and Ella Bell Clayton. Lish and Ella Clayton established a Christian home and nurtured their children in the Christian faith. All of their 6 children who lived to adulthood, dedicated their lives to full-time Christian service as either ministers or missionaries of the Methodist Church.

She married Earl Benton Bryant at Carterville Illinois on September 10, 1944. Earl, was born January 28, 1918 in Carterville Illinois and was the son of Harry and Alma Phillips Bryant. Earl passed in 1995.

For many years, Earl and Mildred were traveling evangelists of music and preaching in as many as 35 states. Every two weeks they would travel by invitation to minister at a new revival. Two children were born to this marriage, Gerald Lynn Bryant and Ruth Ann Bryant, who traveled with their parents in a house trailer on all of their ministry trips.

Mildred was an ordained Methodist and in later years, pastored at churches in Altamont and DeSoto, Illinois. She retired from her last pastorate in De Soto where she and Earl lived in retirement. Upon Earl's death in 1995, Mildred moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Later her daughter Ruth Ann moved from Illinois to Nashville to take of her in 2013.

Mildred will be fondly remembered for playing the piano and accordion. With her beautiful voice, she sang and accompanied Earl on his Martin guitar and began preaching in their revivals. They enjoyed traveling to new cities conducting revival meetings, while she raised her children.

All who were blessed to know Mildred, instantly fell in love with her for her sweet disposition, winsome smile and passionate preaching and ministry at the revival altars. She was selfless in her compassion to ease the discomfort of others, resilient and uncompromising. Mildred, never knew how to "give up" on anyone or anything, so great was her faith in God.

Left to cherish her memory, daughter Ruth Ann Lock, son, Gerald Lynn Bryant, grandson Andrew and his wife Abbie Joy and their daughters Beatrix Mildred, Aurora Dawn and Celeste Louise, granddaughter Jamie Ray Escoubas and husband Brent and their daughters Ryken and Aria, grandson Jeremy and Hollie Lock and their sons, Cooper, Colton, and Carter and granddaughter Keli Bryant and her son Blake Bryant.

The family of Laura Mildred Bryant will observe a graveside burial service with Pastor Gerald Bryant on Monday, October 13 at 11:00am at DeSoto Cemetery. A Celebration Of Life will be scheduled at a later time.

Meredith Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. To view the obituary or leave a condolence or memory of Mildred, visit www.meredithfh.com.