BLYTHEVILLE
— It is with sadness and much love that we announce the peaceful passing, while surrounded by her husband and sons, of our dear Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Velma Louise McReynolds Bryles, age 85, of Blytheville, on November 21, 2020.
Velma was born and raised near the small town of Morrow, in the scenic mountains and meadows of the Ozarks of southwest Washington County. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1953, she moved to Fayetteville, to work as a secretary in the College of Agriculture. Later that year, while sacheting to the water fountain, Velma caught the eye of a senior Ag student who would eventually become her husband. Their married life included the births and rearing of three sons and career stops in several towns across the delta including Blytheville, Piggott, Corning, Star City, Osceola and back to Blytheville. Over the years, trips home to the Ozarks to visit birth family gave Velma tremendous joy and proved true the old adage, “you can take the girl out of the hills, but you can’t take the hills out of the girl.” Such joy was only surpassed by the delight she took in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately called her Gran. Velma volunteered her time and talents as a Homeroom Mother and in support of her sons’ activities and interests. She worked for many years at the Farmers Bank & Trust in Blytheville while they were in college. Faith was important which led her to serve in many church roles and groups including Sunday School teacher, WMU and Circle. She also served in the community through the Woman’s Club and Garden Club.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Pearl McReynolds, older brother, Howard McReynolds, and oldest son, Steven Mark (Steve) Bryles.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Mark Bryles, of the home, her younger sons, Tommy (Anne) of Hickory Plains and Roger (Mary Jane) of Fayetteville and daughterin-law, Pam Bryles of Little Rock; her loving sister, Wilma Dean Caswell (L.J.) of Lincoln and loyal younger brother, Dale McReynolds (Naomi) of Dutch Mills; her sister in law, Darlene McReynolds of Springdale; grandchildren, Marianne Price (Matt) of El Paso, Emily Fitzgerald of Little Rock, Caitlyn Bryan (Cody) of Dallas, Ben Bryles of Richmond, Va., Will Bryles, Canehill, Addison Bryles of Hickory Plains and Sophie and Lily Bryles of Fayetteville; great-grandchildren, Ruby Grace, Parish and Lula Kay Price of El Paso and Henry Bryan of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and special friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 25, at 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Wilcoxson officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m., until service time at First Baptist Church. There will be private graveside services at Hickory Plains Cemetery in Hickory Plains, Ark. The family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church in Blytheville, the Arkansas 4-H Foundation in Little Rock, or to the charity of choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.