of Batesville, AR
August 20, 1929 - October 22, 2020
Alpha May (Faye) Middlecoff Bryant of Batesville, Arkansas was born near Moody, Missouri on August 20, 1929 and passed away at Batesville on October 22, 2020 at age 91 as a result of Covid-19 complications.
She was born to Arthur M. Middlecoff and Dortha May Schauffler Middlecoff. In 1936 the family bought 40 acres near Strawberry, Arkansas and after clearing the land they raised hogs, cotton, corn, sorghum chickens, and vegetables.
One of Faye's fondest memories was going fishing with her father on the Strawberry River and remembers mussel shell gathering where they found a few pearls and cooked the meat of the mussel for fish bait.
Faye's mother died suddenly in 1944 when Faye was only 15 years old which left Faye to be the primary caregiver for 3 sisters and a brother, all younger than Faye, while her dad tended to the family's crops.
Her education began in Missouri and continued at Strawberry until she left home and moved to Batesville where she met and married the love of her life, Hail Bryant on December 22, 1949. A son, Dale Edward Bryant was born December 4, 1950. The couple lived on a small farm near Huff, Arkansas which they rented but then moved to Batesville in 1953. Prior to her marriage to Hail she worked at a local café as a cook and waitress. Later Faye worked several years in the family's business, John E. Bryant & Sons Lumber Company, Inc.
Faye's husband Hail was an avid seeker of knowledge and adventure and the two of them were inseparable traveling everywhere together including several foreign countries. They traveled all over the United States collecting old bottles, Indian artifacts, minerals and fossils. Their mineral and fossil collection was donated to Lyon College in 1990 and their Indian artifact collection was donated to Independence County where it is still displayed in the lobby of the Courthouse.
From 1959-63 Faye was part of the team that, along with her husband Hail, Hugh Shell and others, explored Half-Mile Cave later to become known as Blanchard Caverns. Last Christmas Faye was able to attend Blanchard Cavern's ''Caroling in the Caverns'' and local newspapers dubbed her the ''Queen of the Caverns''. Faye was an authority on Ozark Wildflowers and landscaped her yard with wildflowers and wild plant specimens she collected. She produced a video about Arkansas Wildflowers, Shrubs and Vines and another video called Back Yard Friends where she detailed her experiences with feeding raccoons, possums' squirrels, birds and other creatures in her back yard. Her video of making friends with a wild racoon that she fed out of her hand ran several times on the television show Animal Planet.
She is survived by one brother Verdie Middlecoff of Hoxie, Arkansas and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur M. Middlecoff and Dortha May Schauffler Middlecoff, her husband Rector Hail Bryant, a son Dale Edward Bryant and three sisters, Eula Morelock, Gladys Johnson and Maggie Crooms.
A graveside service under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home will be held 10:00 am Friday, October 30, 2020 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. 9th, Batesville, AR 72501.
We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks and social distancing will be observed.
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16 Condolence(s)
Margee Castleberry
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Faye and Hail were such a blessing to us when we were across the street neighbors. We enjoyed all their knowledge of wild flowers, history, caves and much more. Rest now sweet friend and rejoice with your loved ones.
Margee and Rick Castleberry
Lee and Michael
Gerald Gray
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Dear Ann and family,
You have my condolences for the loss of Mrs. Bryant.
Sincerely,
Gerald
Janie Barber
Thursday, October 29, 2020
I was blessed to know her and her husband. They loved sharing their beautiful flowers and experiences.
Roberta Bustin
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Faye and Hail were special friends of my mother Nettie Bustin. They took her with them on many excursions, mainly looking for wildflowers. They had many wonderful stories of all their adventures.
Denton Family
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
We all have good memories with Faye. Loved her stories and learned a lot. She was loved by many and will be missed.
Benny & Evelyn Ross
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
David Allgood
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Faye and Hail were nice, caring, and generous people. My family had many personal and business dealings through out a big part of my life. They allowed me to use their back yard in 1978 for a very nice wedding. Anyone that met her would have liked her. She will be missed by many. Rest in peace.
Sandy & Nelson Barnett
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Faye was our friend, as was Hail. They spent their lives collecting, recording and documenting the wonders of our world. The wildflower hunts we did together will remain forever as highlights in my life.
Wilson Family
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
We have fond memories of Mrs. Faye. My Dad was Lester and he and my Mom explored the cavern together. Dad passed away last month. Prayers for all.
Tony Guinn
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
I was saddened to hear of Faye's passing. She and Hail were fabulous to talk with. We discussed their caving adventures when I worked at Blanchard Springs Caverns, and later when I would just visit their house. Faye gave me several plants which I still have growing at my house. It was great fun watching her feed those raccoons! She always told me to come by even when her health was failing. I'm so glad she got to the Caverns one more time and I'm truly sorry I didn't see her. We will certainly miss her knowledge, her friendliness, and kindness.
John and Betty Petty
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Tywana, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear aunt.
Think of you often.
Love,
John and Betty
April Davis
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Faye was a friend to me and has shared so many stories with me. I enjoyed the time that we had socializing throughout the years. Her life has touched me in so many different ways. I will miss her in the days to come and I will always cherish the memories of her.
Alan Vickery
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
In our thoughts and prayers,
Phyllis, Alan , Paige, & Andrew Vickery
Steve Wells
Monday, October 26, 2020
My family and the Bryant’s were friends as well as next door neighbors. Dale was one of my best friends. Faye, as we called her was like a second mother. I went on many memorable adventures with Hale, Faye, and Dale. I was able to visit with her again while my dad was at Mtn. Meadows. Wish I could have been able to visit with her again. Covid has touched us all. May God give you peace!
Betty Burge Cockrill
Monday, October 26, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Mike Hill
Monday, October 26, 2020
I remember our caving adventures of the 60's in several caves in North Arkansas. She enjoyed reminiscing about those adventures during the visits I had with her while she was still at home after the passing of Hail. She was always cheerful and even though her failing health required home nursing care, she always invited us to come on over when we called by phone. Her knowledge of Ozark plants and wildflowers as well as her ability to cultivate them in her back yard always amazed me.