It is with heavy hearts and loving memories that we announce the passing of our mother, Verla Mae Bryant, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, just 17 days before her 90th birthday.
Verla was born on Jan. 24, 1935, to Carl and Valeria (Brown) Sutton in Burlington. After graduating from Gridley High School in 1953, she married Gerald Jones. In 1957, they moved to Chanute where they raised their five children. In 1968, Gerald and Verla bought Stevenson’s neighborhood store on West Main Street and renamed it Jones’ Grocery. Verla loved working in the store, flipping hamburgers on the grill and helping all the neighborhood kids pick out candy at the candy counter.
After closing the grocery store, Verla opened and managed Kids World preschool and day care center, where she worked for over 25 years teaching and loving the children in her care.
Verla married B.E. Bryant in 1994 and together they owned and operated Bryant’s Furniture east of Chanute until they retired in 2021 and moved into town.
Verla enjoyed volunteering in the lunchroom at St. Patrick’s Catholic School as well as cooking for funeral dinners. She was honored to launder and iron St. Patrick’s altar linens for many years. Verla spent a lifetime loving, giving to and caring for others whether they were family, friend or stranger. Her biggest joy was cooking for her family and sharing a delicious meal around the kitchen table. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met and will be greatly missed.
Verla was preceded in death by Gerald Jones, her parents, Carl and Valeria Sutton, her four sisters, Betty Dreyer, Jean Schankie, Darlene Miller and Nadine Birk, her niece, Ann Dreyer Hale, and nephew, Wallace Schankie.
She is survived by her husband, B.E. Bryant, Chanute; her five children, Michael (Brenda) Jones, Branson West, Missouri, Vicki (Danny) Marks, Olathe, Tamera (Dennis) Gates, Wichita, Lisa Chauncey, Chanute, and Scott (Deanne) Jones, Billings, Montana; 10 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Verla’s family will greet friends at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Reciting of the rosary will follow at 6:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with burial immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and can be left with Countryside Funeral Home.
