Lois "Diane" Bryant

Lois "Diane" Bryant, 72, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2025, at home. She was born August 28, 1952, in Centerville, Iowa, to Charles Archer and Ethel Vestal. She was later adopted as Diane Buckallew.

Diane graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School and later attended Southern Bible College and Ozark Bible Institute. Upon leaving college, she played piano and sang for the Parton Family gospel singers.

In 1977 she married Dean Bryant, to whom she was married for 47 years. She is also honored by her children, Jessica Bryant and Christopher Bryant.

She began singing Southern Gospel music with her husband in 1976 as the Joint Heirs. They also were the House Band and Masters of Ceremonies for Betterway Christian Supper Club in Kansas City. They were Worship Directors for several churches, started one church and helped start a Messianic Synagogue while in Kansas.

She was an Activities Director for seniors for 20 years in Kansas and then later in North Carolina. During this career, she was a "Force of Nature", singing and dancing with her residents, especially in wheelchairs. She loved organizing a band. When things were too quiet for her, she might spontaneously go to a piano and play and sing.

Dean and Diane also sang for seniors in Nursing Homes and other Senior Living Communities. At the end of each performance she would say, "If you ever feel like nobody loves you, everybody hates you, so you might as well go eat worms. Remember that Dean and Diane Bryant will always love you."

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with friends and neighbors.

Troutman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bryant family.