Rhea B. Bryant

Age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 in the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira.Rhea was born December 26, 1919 in Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA to the late Glenn and Pearl Barrett.She married Charles R. Bryant on July 8, 1941 and was predeceased by him in 1993. She was also predeceased by her brother-in-law, Walter B. Hall.Rhea is survived by her loving children, Dale (Nancy) Bryant; Marcia (Gary) Reynolds; grandchildren, Matthew (Lisa) Bryant; Carol (Michael) Cady; Jennifer Bryant; Amy (Victor) Perez; Kelly (Andrew) Smilinich; Jeffrey (Jennifer) Reynolds; great-grandchildren, Sarah and Laura Bryant; Andrew and Braeden Smilinich; Megan Mikolajczyk; Victoria Perez; Hannah and Ethan Reynolds; step great-grandchildren, Brittany, Logan, and Emily Baker; sisters, Vera Hall, Geraldine (Henry) Gray; brother, Rev. Glenn (Sylvia) Barrett;and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rhea taught for many years, mostly in the Horseheads School District, and retired after 42 years of dedicated teaching.She traveled, loved to cook for her family, gardened, and spent her time caring for others.She was a member of the Elmira Nile Club, NYS Retired Teachers Association, Harmony Chapter OES # 265, Scarlet Ladies of the Royal Court of the Red Hat Society of Elmira, and the Elmira Area Retired Teachers Association.She was a deaconess at North Presbyterian Church and volunteered for their Food Pantry, as well as the Clemens Center and AARP.She also belonged to the Birthday Club of 1952.Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira on Friday, December 9, 2005 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM.Funeral services will be held on Saturday in the North Presbyterian Church, 921 College Ave., Elmira at 11 AM, with Rev. Gary Chorpenning celebrating Rhea?s life.Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rhea?s name to the North Presbyterian Church Food Pantry or the Shriner?s Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505-5097.Those wishing may leave a ?Candle of Remembrance? for the family at www.olthof.com.