Ann Louise Bryant, 86, long time music and piano teacher of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on January 13, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, January 18, 2016 at Winfree Baptist Church in Bridge City, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Keith Royal of Winfree Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, Texas.

Mrs. Bryant lived a life full of music and people.

Born in Nederland, Texas, on May 14, 1929, she was the daughter of William Earl and Ethel Jones Kitchen of Port Neches, Texas. A Port Neches High School graduate, she was a National Honor Society member from early in her education. She attended St. Louis School of Music right after high school. She then earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Lamar University and Sam Houston State College. She was a lifelong member of National Piano Playing Auditions and received numerous awards throughout her career.

Ann, or Louise as many knew her, began teaching in 1948 in Orange at Colburn Elementary. She taught generations of students in Orange and Bridge City in both the public school system and in private lessons in her lovely studio at her home. She spent years at Hatton Elementary where her music productions inspired many students. She seemed to always have a smile and a kind word.

Her students will remember her patience and kindness while teaching them not to B flat or B sharp but just to B natural. She personally could play any and everything from a Sonatina to Floyd Cramer’s Last Date, Jerry Lee Lewis and inspirational music from Amazing Grace to Heavenly Sunshine. She played the organ and piano for Winfree Baptist church every Sunday morning since 1957.

Her family and friends were always welcomed with a smile and offering of a meal plus an added push to “take some home”. The door was always open and she would gently suggest “come spend the night”.

Ann learned strong work ethics from an early age by working on the family dairy farm in Port Neches. She also had a deep love of animals especially her ever loyal dogs. She was a shining example of staying healthy, active and happy no matter what hurricanes or uncomfortable situations arose. She had strong opinions on religion and politics but tolerated those of differing stances.

She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. Friends, family, and students. She will remain with us on the wings of the music she loved and taught so well.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother, Dr. James William Kitchen, her husband of 64 years, Cecil Paul Bryant, Sr. and her granddaughter, Melissa Ann Mesch.

She is survived by her son Cecil Paul Bryant. Jr and wife, Van (Trahan) Bryant of Bridge City, Texas; her daughter, Lisa Ann (Bryant) Keller and husband Dr. Michael Keller all of Port Neches, Texas; grandsons, Raun Paul Bryant and wife Kristal (Soileau) Bryant, Josh Landry and wife Richelle (Myers) Landry, all of Bridge City, Texas, and Marc R. Mesch and wife Laynie (Jackson) Mesch of San Angelo, Texas; great-grandchildren, Aden Paul Bryant, Mason Paul Bryant, Libby Lou Bryant, Clarissa Nicole Landry all of Bridge City, Texas, and Parker Russell and Noah Thomas Mesch of San Angelo, Texas.

She is also survived by her nieces, Pam Fraser of Austin, Texas, Pat Kitchen of Elgin, Texas, Paula Curry of Alpine, Texas; and nephew, James William Kitchen, Jr., of Livingston, Montana. There are numerous great nephews and nieces.

Serving as pallbearers will be Raun Bryant, Josh Landry, Billy Bryant, Kim Bryant, Matt Bryant and Marc Mesch.

Honorary pallbearers will be Aden Paul Bryant, Mason Paul Bryant, Andrew Mambretti, Dr. Michael Keller, Dylan Kitchen Nikoletopoulos and George Ela.