Ida Ray Bryant of Valrico went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday November 21, 2023. She was born Ida Ray Cooley in Birmingham Al and is preceded in death by her dad, Edward Raymond Cooley, her mom, Ida Lee Cooley, brother Conrad Cooley, sisters in law, Marilyn Cooley and Rozann Cooley.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years AB Bryant; daughter, Jennifer Bell (son- in-love, Mike Bell) of Valrico, Fl; daughter Karen Craven (Nickea) of Wilmington, NC; bonus granddaughters, Lauren Bell of Ocala, Fl and Shannon Bruot of Ft Wayne In and brother, Mike Cooley of Chelsea Al.
Ida was a HS math and history teacher when she and AB married, having graduated from Auburn University and continued with the school system until becoming a mom, then she taught the remainder of her life in the home where she instilled in her daughters how to do the things that mamas teach; how to cook, clean, do laundry, make things (she was so creative and gifted that to them as well) budget, sew etc but more importantly the importance of FAITH, family (and fashion)! One of the things she said more then any other is that she felt sorry for people that didn’t have faith, she always leaned into the Lord.
She was always classy and dressed to the nines without spending much, frugal was her middle name!! She was reducing, reusing and recycling before the mantra ever came to be. She was a voracious reader, had a love of playing the piano, crossword puzzles, a game of bridge, watching Hallmark movies with AB and Matlock round the clock.
She was an amazing wife to her soulmate AB and proved that time and time again with each move around the country for his career, making a home wherever they landed and did it with love, respect and adoration for him. Theirs is a love story for the ages, one that so many strive for.
The last several years of her life were different, but no matter how many health issues and changes she faced she was still the wife and mama and friend that we all knew and loved. AB, Ida, Mike and Jenn were the four musketeers double dating weekly up until the last few months when the dates all occurred in the home. Her best friend of 40+ years Val Silkabakken made sure Ida knew she was still there for her and called faithfully (which was a highlight of her week), as was every time Mike would come over and then the playful bantering began!
Special thanks and love to Frank and Marilena Lugo who are family she gained when moving to Valrico along with visits from Tyler and Moose, Rosa and grand dogs Brady and Gronk. Another special thanks to Yosanna and Sandy with Lifepath hospice. Also gratitude to Stephanie and crew at Salon Roxy, Dr Kardani, Karen and the rest of the ladies at Southern Eye Care Associates.
A celebration of life will be planned and memorials in her name can be made to the Alzheimers Association.
