Verla Mae BryantChanute, KS

It is with heavy hearts and loving memories that we announce the passing of our mother Verla Mae Bryant on January 7, 2025, just 17 days before her 90th birthday. Verla was born on January 24, 1935, to Carl and Valeria (Brown) Sutton in Burlington, KS. After graduating from Gridley High School in 1953 she married Gerald Jones and in 1957 they moved to Chanute where together 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 that 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, MO, Vicki (Danny) Marks, Olathe, KS, Tamera (Dennis) Gates, Wichita, KS, Lisa Chauncey, Chanute, and Scott (Deanne) Jones, Billings, MT, 10 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family of Verla will greet friends at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for visitation on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Reciting of the Rosary will follow at 6:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with burial immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be left in Verla’s name to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and can be left with Countryside Funeral Home.