Denise Bonita Bryan

On April 11, 2011, God sounded his trumpet for his angels to bring Denise Bonita Bryan home. She spent 56 years, 7 months and 14 days on this earth. The late Hugh Leslie and Geraldine Marie (Prillerman) Bryan were blessed with twins, Donna and Donald, and triplets, Diane, Denise and Darlene. Denise and her sisters were born August 28, 1954 in Manhattan, New York. Raised in the city of Trenton, New Jersey, Denise excelled in many areas of studies and fine arts. This carried her to Virginia Union University where she studied early childhood development and elementary education, which gave her the creative edge to touch the lives of many people. Later in life, Denise brought to the world three children, Damian, Nyjah and Amanda. She lost her son, Nyjah in 2007. In the year 2000, Denise left the city life to be with her family in St. Robert, Missouri. For the last eleven years, she became a well-known resident of the St. Robert community. She worked in the lodging industry and at Taco Bell, where she was known to everyone as Denise “Mama D” Bryan. Denise professed her faith and was baptized at Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in St. Robert, Missouri. Denise was dearly loved, and will be very sadly missed by two children: Damian Bryan (Joshlyn Kimbrough) and Amanda Bryan (DeCarlos Morrow) all of St. Robert; daughter-in-law: Kiesha Haggard; siblings: Diane Bryan (Leroy Day, Jr.), Darlene Brown, Donna Scarfe and Donald Bryan; grandchildren: Iyanna T. and Camryn C. Bryan, Nyjah Bryan, Jr., Amonie and Jaylin Jackson, Nathan, Nick and Keashawn Haggard, Michael Robinson along with several extended family grandchildren; nieces: Liana, Diahjanique, Tiara and Jah-Nyiah Bryan, Kimberly and Sarah Scarfe, Geraldine Brown, and Jasmine, Jessica, Janiqua Haggard and several extended family nieces; nephews: Dominique and Elliott Scarfe, Kyle and Kenneth Brown and several extended family nephews; God children: Taneisha Haggard, Tasha Clark, Amber Robinson, Raymond and Jermaine Haggard; many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Minister James Campbell officiating. Denise’s sister, Donna M. Scarfe, read Scripture and led the congregation in responsive readings. Diahjanique Bryan and Tiara Durr sang a song that they had written in memory of Denise. Denise’s children, Damian and Amanda, read the obituary and Tasha Clark, Denise’s goddaughter, read a beautiful poem in honor of Denise. The songs “Pass Me Over”, “Song for Mama”, “Don’t Cry for Me”, “Your Tears” and “I Still Smile” were played. Serving as escorts were Damian Bryan, Tristan Clark, Raymond Haggard, DeCarlos Morrow, Nyjah Bryan-Haggard, Charles Little, Lewis Scale and Fred Wilson. Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Denise Bryan and may be left at the funeral home.

Denise Bonita Bryan

August 28, 1954 - April 11, 2011