PAOLO — Thelma Louise Bryant, 85, of Paola, died Friday, May 28, 2010, at her home.

She was born Oct. 28, 1924, in Chetopa to William and Edith Louise (Pearson) Fulkerson. She grew up in Southeastern Kansas area, attending school through the eighth grade.

On Jan. 1, 1945, she married Dale Eugene Bryant in Independence. He died in 2005.

She was a homemaker.

Survivors include three sons, Robert Dean of Lawrence, Roger of Louisburg, Randy of Wichita, five daughters, Joyce Ardell Dobbins of Olathe, Ilamay Evans of Paola, Janna Dixon of Ottawa, Lora Bryant of Paola and Glora Mathews of Lane; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren with another due in July; and a sister, Delores Collins, of Independence, Mo.

The service was at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Paola.

Memorials may be made to the Thelma Bryant Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 305 N. Pearl, Paola, 66071.