Nyjah Oda Bryan 1986-2007

On June 4, 1986, God sent an angel down to Denise Bonita Bryan and Charles Little - a beautiful 7lbs baby boy, Nyjah Oda Bryan (a.k.a. Ny"B") was born in Mercer County Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey. With a sparkle in his eye and a twinkle in his steps, he grew up at 849 Carteret Avenue along with his mother Denise, father Charles, 2 grandmothers: Geraldine and Ethel, Aunt: Diane, Brother: Damian, and 2 sisters: Amanda and Liana.

He attended Gregory Elementary and Junior "3" Middle School. While in middle school, he made the front page of the newspaper as he smiled against all odds of the "Great New Jersey Flood", being pulled in a boat with a friend by a fireman. We knew back then he would be an inspiring person and the center of great things to come.

He was always a moneymaker. He had a job in the summertime at J.T.P.A. Nyjah was determined to be somebody, not just another black male statistic. He had a passion for music ever since down on the river listening to Bob Marley with his father Charles. He had the essence of a rapper, but when he flowed he had the mind and spoke words of a lyrical genius.

He had many more years in Trenton, but we soon moved from Jersey to St. Robert, Missouri in September 2000 to start a new life. Nyjah attended Waynesville High School, where he met his fiancé, LaKiesha Nicole Haggard. They have been together for 4 years and were very happy with each other. When LaKiesha found out that she was pregnant in September 2003, we were all very excited, especially their mothers, Denise and Mary.

Months later Ny"B" graduated while making the front page of the newspaper as he waved to the crowd at Waynesville High School Class of 2004. He knew that he had achieved greatness.

On June 14, 2004 at 2:50 P.M., Nyjah's eyes glistened as he watched his son, Nyjah Oda Bryan Jr. being born. It was the happiest day of his life and also the day he changed from a boy to become a great man. Nyjah was a wonderful son, father, brother, and friend. His son was his life. He always took care of his responsibilities and his family. He looked out for friends as well as those of you who were his close ones (you know who you are). He always had your back and always showed you love. He was admired and respected by many, but loved by all. That's why he will always stand one million feet tall in our hearts.

He was a joy to be around. He brightened up your day, like a ray of sunshine and always found a way to make you smile even when you didn't want to. It's a shame that such an extraordinary person had to leave so unexpectedly. He will never be gone. He lives through us that will never forget him. Although we are sorrowed, we should rejoice for God has called hi angel home to Heaven's Paradise. He will be greatly loved, missed, but never forgotten.

Nyjah is survived by his parents: Denise Bryan of St. Robert, MO and Charles Little of Trenton, NJ; fiancé: LaKiesha Haggard of Waynesville, MO; one son: Nyjah Oda Bryan, Jr. of Waynesville, MO; nine sisters: Amanda and Liana Bryan, Makiba Little, Callie Morgan, Taniesha Haggard Nakina Haggard, Nikki Haggard, Danielle Haggard and Poppy; eight brothers: Damian Bryan, Poochie Little, Raymond Haggard, Jermaine Haggard, Floyd Ward, Shaun Morgan, Greg Haggard, and Claudell Haggard; grandmother: Ethel Little of Hobken, NJ; special aunts: Diane Bryan and Mary Haggard, both of St. Robert, MO; three aunts: Darlene Brown, Donna Scarf and Cheryl Walker; three uncles: Donald Bryan, Leroy Day, Jr. and Kenneth Brown; ten nieces: Diahjanique Bryan, Tiara Durr, Camryn and Iyanna Bryan, Geraldine Bryan, Jashawna Morgan, Rashay Haggard, Jasmine Haggard, Jessice Haggard and Janequa Haggard; 10 nephews: Kyle Brown, Kennth Brown, Jr., Shaun Morgan, Jr., Nick Haggard, Keshawn Haggard, Jermaine Haggard, Jr., Andrew Haggard, Lil Greg, Bubba and Donnell Haggard; many more family and friends.

Nyjah was preceded in death by his grandmother: Gerildine P. Bryan; great grandmother: Estella Prillerman; and Jamaria Ashea Haggard.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 3, 2007 in the Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert with Pastor Tim O'Brian officiating. The songs "Everything Happens For A Reason" and "My Time Has Come" were played. Several family members and friends shared their wonderful memories of Nyjah. Serving as escorts were family and friends.

Burial followed in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Nyjah Bryan and may be left at Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Denise Bonita Bryan 1954-2011

Denise Bonita Bryan, 56 of St. Robert, passed away at 6:25 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2011, at her home.

Visitation is at Noon with services to follow at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, at Memorial Chapels and Crematory, Waynesville/St. Robert. Burial will follow in Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery.

Denise is survived by two children: Damian Bryan (Joshlyn Kimbrough) and Amanda Bryan (DeCarlos Morrow) all of St. Robert; daughter-in-law: Kiesha Haggard; God children: Taneisha Haggard, Tasha Clark, Amber Robinson, Raymond and Jermaine 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; many other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Denise Bryan.

28 August, 1954 - 11 April, 2011

John Eugene Bryan, Jr. 1931-2012

John Eugene Bryan, Jr., the only child of John Eugene Bryan, Sr. and Hazel (Thornsberry) Bryan, was born on May 9, 1931, in Crocker, Missouri. He passed away at the Lebanon Mercy Hospital on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at the age of 80 years.

After graduating from Crocker High School, he served in the United States Navy for 3 ½ years. He worked for the United States Postal Service in Rolla and Ft Leonard Wood for 30 years.

John became a Christian and was baptized in the Gasconade River by Brother Art Gott on February 14, 1954. He attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, Missouri. He was a faithful member of the Crocker Christian Church where he was an elder, adult Sunday school class teacher and missionary fund treasurer for many years. His life was dedicated to his family and the church.

He married Anna Louise Ledbetter on March 27, 1959. They were married for 52 years and had three children (Mark, Becky and Susie). His parents, John and Hazel Bryan, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; one son, John Mark Bryan of Crocker, two daughters, Rebecca Ann White and her husband, David White of Republic, Missouri and Susan Jean Bryan of Springfield, Missouri; and three grand-daughters, Amy, Amber and Amanda White. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Ward Alan Ledbetter of Richland, Missouri and Rex Gerber of Watertown, South Dakota; his aunt, Virginia Hackett of Nashville, Georgia; and many good friends.

Funeral services 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 5, 2012 at the Crocker Christian Church, Brother Larry Richardson officiating. Visitation on the previous day, Sunday, March 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., also at the church. Internment in the Crocker Cemetery under the direction of Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes. Elders of the Crocker Christian Church serving as pallbearers: Junior Adamson, Joe Brown, Roy Peterson, Bill Voiles, Jim Wells, and Kris York.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Crocker Christian Church Missionary Fund, P.O. Box 98, Crocker, Missouri 65452.