Steven Mark (Steve) Bryles

STEVEN MARK (STEVE) BRYLES, age 55, of Little Rock and Blytheville, passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock after a valiant battle with esophageal cancer. He served as a State Senator, 2001-10, representing Mississippi and Poinsett Counties in his native Delta. At the time of his death, Steve was the Director of the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission. He was the eldest son of Mark Benjamin Bryles and Velma Louise McReynolds Bryles of Blytheville. Steve leaves in mourning and to cherish his memory beloved wife Pamela Morehead Bryles of Little Rock and their children Emily Fitzgerald Bryles of Fayetteville, Caitlyn Fitzgerald Bryles of Little Rock and Mark Benjamin (Ben) Bryles of Little Rock. His wife and children were the center of his life. Steve graduated from Blytheville High School in 1975 and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he majored in Agricultural Business and joined Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a Life Loyal Sig. In 1984, Steve launched his 27 year career as an independent cotton merchant having learned the trade from past generations of colorful figures in the business including those on Cotton Row on Front Street in Memphis. Steve held leadership positions in many professional and civic organizations including the Blytheville Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and Blytheville Rotary Club among others. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. Steve enjoyed music, particularly flat pick guitar, reading, family genealogy and the outdoors. He was a fifth generation Arkansan whose great great grandparents came to Arkansas in the 1840's and 50's. Steve is survived by his parents, wife, children and brothers, William Thomas Bryles (Anne) of Hickory Plains, Roger Kent Bryles (Mary Jane) of Fayetteville and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of loyal friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents William Thomas and Addie Elizabeth Stanley Bryles of Hickory Plains (Edward Community) and Luther Ralph and Ruby Pearl Warren McReynolds of Dutch Mills. A celebration of Steve's life will be held at services on Thursday, January 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock and on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Blytheville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bryles Education Fund, P.O. Box 1446, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.