Janice Anne Bryant

Janice Anne Dixon Bryant, 74, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, December 6 at Baptist Hospital lovingly surrounded by her husband, Wayne E. Bryant; her sons, Allen Bryant and Dr. Derek Bryant; and her brother, Bill Dixon. Anne was born November 4, 1940 to parents Janice Wood Dixon and Luther E. Dixon of Sweet Home, Ark. She spent all of her early years in that southern Pulaski County area surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, one set of grandparents, Lilburn and Jalanie Wood, and a second grandfather, W. P. Dixon. Her Dixon family was among the early settlers of Sweet Home and southern Pulaski County homesteading area after the Civil War. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. Anne attended Fuller schools in Sweet Home. She was a good student who also was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She graduated as valedictorian in 1958. Deciding to postpone college, Anne began work after graduation at First National Bank in Little Rock. She later reconnected with an old classmate, Wayne Bryant, who had joined the Air Force, and that led to marriage. Anne married Wayne August 4, 1961 at Primrose Methodist Church and they remained a devoted couple for 53 years. Wayne was still in the Air Force at that time, so she followed him to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso until he completed his service. On returning to Little Rock, Anne worked again at First National Bank while Wayne attended college. When children came along, she became a stay-at-home mother to two active boys. At the age of 31, Anne began taking a few courses at a time at UALR and emerged a decade later with a masters degree in Applied Psychology. She was a Licensed Psychological Examiner and worked for City of NLR in the Personnel Department. Anne was affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron of the Levy Chapter, and a member of the Prudence Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of the Arkansas Genealogical Society and, as an avid and expert genealogist, published a book, "Dixon Family History." Her second book, about her mother's family, was nearing publication. She also enjoyed quilting each week with her quilting circle. A long time member of Fellowship Bible Church, she spent 12 years doing pre-marital counseling with couples. "Grandmama" to three grandsons and one granddaughter, Anne spent many of her last decades busy with them and their activities, as well as gardening in the sprawling yard outside her West Pulaski County home. Anne was a highly intelligent, upright and upstanding person with a great sense of humor. She was the adoptive mother of several cats and one special Irish setter, Princess. Survivors: husband, Wayne; sons Allen (Brandi) of Lucketts, Virginia and Derek (Gaelle) of Little Rock; grandsons Benjamin, Avery, Drew; granddaughter, Annelise; brother Bill (Stephanie) of North Little Rock, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Services: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Fellowship Bible Church; Graveside following at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation from 4-6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8 at Fellowship Bible Church. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.