Later they bought a house in Orange, Texas and had two children, Terryl and Ledena. While working at Gulf States Utilities in Orange and Beaumont, Barbara achieved her Bachelor of Education degree from Lamar University in just over two years. She attained her Master of Education degree from McNeese State University in 1971 while teaching first grade at Little Cypress Elementary. Thereafter, she moved from the classroom to continue her career as an Educational Diagnostician.After she and Don divorced, Barbara moved from Orange and continued as an Educational Diagnostician for Goose Creek ISD, Clear Lake ISD and Galena Park ISD, where she eventually retired from Cimmaron Elementary and High School in 2011. During this time, she met Nestor Vincenti and moved to Deer Park, where Barbara and Vince enjoyed longtime companionship over twenty happy years filled with adventures, travel, and dancing, especially the jitterbug, until Vince's death in 2018.
Throughout Barbara's lifetime, she had a zest for life and enjoyed accomplishing more. She obtained her real estate license in 1980 as a supplemental career. Following her retirement, Barbara was very active in many civic and social organizations, including the Golden Division of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, the Sunshiners Club, and the Pasadena Music Club, often serving as an officer or board member. Additionally, she thoroughly enjoyed sharing time with friends at Northeast Harris County Retired Educators Association events, playing Bingo at the Maxwell Adult Center, and dancing to the music of her favorite bands on Sunday afternoons with the Pasadena Music Club. She was blessed being a member of First Baptist Church of Pasadena, where she faithfully attended Sunday School and Sunday morning sermons, sang in the Joy Senior Choir, and participated in Tuesday Bible Lunch.
She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, celebrating holidays and accomplishments. She was known to always have her fully packed "game bag" wherever she went, ready for a game of cards, dominos or Bunco with family and friends.
Although Barbara started from humble beginnings with a childhood filled with many surgeries to correct being born with her left leg 2 ½ inches shorter than her right, she achieved so much and blessed so many in her lifetime. She had a beautiful voice and during her school-age years was frequently asked to sing at functions. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, outgoing personality, love for adventure, travel and shopping, and how she surprised everyone that she was older than she appeared.
Special thanks for the loving support network Barbara received from her wonderful neighbors, friends, mail carrier, and many others who looked out for her, especially Justini who prepared daily meals for her and Gerald who was always glad to help.
She is predeceased by her mother: Bessie May (Durbin) Moore; three brothers: Grover, Fred and Harold Moore; three sisters: Rannie Cummings, Mildred Wales and Minnie Leuty; former husband: Don LaVaughn Bryant, and longtime friend and companion: Nestor Vincenti. She will be greatly missed by her children: Terryl Bryant (Irma) and Ledena Howard (Steve) of Orange, Texas; grandchildren: Clay Bryant and Tara Bryant of Orange, Texas, Josh Howard of Bedford, Texas; great grandchildren: Caily Janise of Houston, Texas, Cody Janice (Lynsea) and Sterling Weatherford of Orange, Texas; two step-granddaughters and step-great grandsons; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be at 2:00 pm and the funeral service will begin at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 17, 2024 in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Pasadena, with Dr. Charles Redmon officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Barbara Bryant to the First Baptist Church of Pasadena, 7500 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77505, or to your favorite charity.
