Shirley Bryant

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Shirley Tommie (Gearlds) Bryant, age 71, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at her home in Tompkinsville, KY.  Shirley was born in Monroe County, KY, on August 1, 1951, the daughter of Dorothy (Hale) Gearlds Watson and the late Ervin Allen Gearlds.  She married her sweetheart, Gerald Dale Bryant, on May 15, 1965, in Celina, TN. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Washington D.C. LDS Temple.

Shirley was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many callings, including Primary President and Cub Scouts, for 34 years.

Over the years, she worked at various jobs in Tompkinsville before opening her own business, Shirley’s Floral Arrangements.  

She is survived by her two sons, Shannon Bryant of Spring Hill, TN, and Tommy Bryant (April) of Chubbuck, ID; one foster son, Matthew Gilmore (Julie) of Menifee, CA; three foster daughters, Patricia Borders (Joey) of Elizabethtown, KY, Linda Lanham (Baute) of Elizabethtown, KY, and Betty Shirley of Red Boiling Springs, TN; mother, Dorothy (Hale) Gearlds Watson; three brothers, William, Tim and Stevie Gearlds; two sisters, Lorene Webb, and Janis Ferguson, all of Tompkinsville; 10 grandchildren and 11 foster grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Dale Bryant; father, Ervin Allen Gearlds; one foster grandson, Brian Dale Shirley.

Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Bartley & Sons Funeral Home in Tompkinsville, with burial to follow in the Old Mount Herman Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until time for service at noon.

Pallbearers: Justin Bryant, Sebastian Bryant, Tanner Bryant, James Gearlds, Brian Gearlds, Garrett Jones, Gage Jones

Honorary Pallbearers: grandchildren and all nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Old Mt. Herman Cemetery in honor of Shirley. Those may be made at the funeral home.

Bartley & Sons Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Bryant and her family during this time.